Unlike the action taken by the UC Board of Regents which covers only Gay and Lesbian couples, the Knox bill defines domestic partner more broadly. Lobbyists hold little hope that Governor Wilson will sign this bill, even if it clears all levels of Legislative approvals. This bill would require forms containing specified information to be filed under penalty of perjury, thereby extending the scope of the existing crime of perjury and imposing a state-mandated local program. The provisions would become operative on January 1, 1998. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state.
Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. Domestic Partners 22867. It is the purpose of this article to provide employers the ability to offer health care coverage through this part to the domestic partners of their employees and annuitants. For this part only, and for the purposes of providing health care coverage pursuant to this part, a domestic partner is an adult in a domestic partnership as defined in Section 22869 who has submitted to the system on a form designated by the board a certificate of eligibility pursuant to Section 22872.