An Act To Provide Consistency in the Laws Regarding Domestic Partners
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1804
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: ROBERTS, SANBORN, FECTEAU, HARNETT, MORIARTY, SHEEHAN, WOOD
Amends: 1 MRSA §72, 1 MRSA §1012, 3 MRSA §312-A, 4 MRSA §807, 5 MRSA §19, 5 MRSA §286-M, 15 MRSA §321, 17-A MRSA §253, 17-A MRSA §255-A, 17-A MRSA §260, 17-A MRSA §1807, 18-C MRSA §1, 18-C MRSA §5, 19-A MRSA §4002, 21-A MRSA §1, 22 MRSA §2843, 22 MRSA §2843-A, 22 MRSA §2846, 22 MRSA §2942, 22 MRSA §2949, 22 MRSA §4313, 24 MRSA §2319-A, 24 MRSA §2907, 24-A MRSA §2741-A, 24-A MRSA §2832-A, 24-A MRSA §3952, 24-A MRSA §4249, 24-A MRSA §6903, 26 MRSA §843, 26 MRSA §875, 39-A MRSA §102

Legislative Document
No. 1804
H.P. 1346
House of Representatives, December 9, 2021
An Act To Provide Consistency in the Laws Regarding Domestic 
Partners
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 7, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Judiciary pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick.
Cosponsored by Senator SANBORN of Cumberland and
Representatives: Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, HARNETT of Gardiner, MORIARTY of 
Cumberland, SHEEHAN of Biddeford, WOOD of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  1 MRSA §72, sub-§2-C is enacted to read:
2-C.  Domestic partner.  "Domestic partner" means one of 2 unmarried adults who 
are domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence a commitment to 
remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare.
Sec. 2.  1 MRSA §1012, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 208, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 3.  3 MRSA §312-A, sub-§4-B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 630, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 4.  4 MRSA §807, sub-§3, ¶S, as amended by PL 2019, c. 597, §1, is further 
amended to read:
S.  An individual who is the sole member of a limited liability company or is a member 
of a limited liability company that is owned by a married couple, registered domestic 
partners or an individual and that individual's issue as defined in Title 18‑C, section 
1‑201, subsection 27 who is not an attorney but is appearing for that company in an 
action for forcible entry and detainer pursuant to Title 14, chapter 709;
Sec. 5.  5 MRSA §19, sub-§1, ¶B-1, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 634, §15, is repealed.
Sec. 6.  5 MRSA §286-M, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 636, Pt. A, §3, is 
amended to read:
B.  "Dependent" means a spouse, an unmarried child under 19 years of age, a child who 
is a student under 23 years of age and financially dependent upon the enrollee, a child 
of any age who is disabled and dependent upon the enrollee or a domestic partner as 
defined in Title 24‑A, section 2741‑A.
Sec. 7.  15 MRSA §321, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. C, §31 and 
affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is further amended to read:
1.  Definition.  For purposes of this section, "family or household members" means 
spouses or domestic partners or former spouses or former domestic partners, individuals 
presently or formerly living as spouses, natural parents of the same child, adult household 
members related by consanguinity or affinity or minor children of any household member 
when the offender is an adult household member. Holding oneself out to be a spouse is not 
necessary to constitute "living as spouses."  For purposes of this subsection, "domestic 
partners" has the same meaning as in Title 18‑C, section 1‑201, subsection 14.
Sec. 8.  17-A MRSA §253, sub-§2, ¶L, as amended by PL 2019, c. 438, §1, is 
further amended to read:
L.  The actor is employed to provide care to a dependent person, who is not the actor's 
spouse or domestic partner and who is unable to perform self-care because of advanced 
age or physical or mental disease, disorder or defect.  For the purposes of this 
paragraph, "domestic partners" means 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together 
under a long-term arrangement that evidences a commitment to remain responsible 
indefinitely for each other's welfare.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;
Sec. 9.  17-A MRSA §255-A, sub-§1, ¶W, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 423, §6, is 
amended to read:
W.  The actor is employed to provide care to a dependent person, who is not the actor's 
spouse or domestic partner and who is unable to perform self-care because of advanced 
age or physical or mental disease, disorder or defect.  For the purposes of this 
paragraph, "domestic partners" means 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together 
under a long-term arrangement that evidences a commitment to remain responsible 
indefinitely for each other's welfare.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or
Sec. 10.  17-A MRSA §260, sub-§1, ¶M, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 423, §9, is 
amended to read:
M.  The actor is employed to provide care to a dependent person, who is not the actor's 
spouse or domestic partner and who is unable to perform self-care because of advanced 
age or physical or mental disease, disorder or defect.  For the purposes of this 
paragraph, "domestic partners" means 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together 
under a long-term arrangement that evidences a commitment to remain responsible 
indefinitely for each other's welfare.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime.
Sec. 11.  17-A MRSA §1807, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2021, c. 174, §5, is further 
amended to read:
4.  Findings or explanation required in certain cases when completion of domestic 
violence intervention program is not ordered as a condition of probation.   If an 
individual is convicted of a crime under chapter 9 or 13 or section 758 that the State pleads 
and proves was committed by the individual against a spouse, domestic partner or sexual 
partner; a former spouse, domestic partner or sexual partner; a victim with whom the 
individual is living or lived as a spouse; or a victim who is or was a dating partner of the 
individual and the court does not order as a condition of probation that the individual 
complete a domestic violence intervention program certified pursuant to Title 19‑A, section 
4014, the court shall make findings on the record of the court's reasons for not ordering the 
individual to complete a certified domestic violence intervention program.  If a plea 
agreement submitted to the court in accordance with Rule 11A(b) of the Maine Rules of 
Unified Criminal Procedure does not contain a provision ordering the individual to 
complete a certified domestic violence intervention program, the attorney for the State shall 
indicate, in a writing submitted to the court, the basis for the plea agreement's not including 
completion of a certified domestic violence intervention program as a condition of 
probation.  For purposes of this subsection, "dating partner" means a victim currently or 
formerly involved in dating the individual, whether or not the individual and the victim are 
or were sexual partners.  For purposes of this subsection, "domestic partner" means one of 
unmarried adults who are domiciled together under a long-term arrangement that 
evidences a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare.
Sec. 12.  18-C MRSA §1-201, sub-§14, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is amended to read:
14.  Domestic partner.  "Domestic partner" means one of 2 unmarried adults who are 
domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence a commitment to remain 
responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare has the same meaning as in Title 1, section 
72, subsection 2-C.
Sec. 13.  18-C MRSA §5-916, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, 
§2 and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is amended to read:
D.  The principal's spouse, registered domestic partner, parent or descendant;
Sec. 14.  18-C MRSA §5-931, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is amended to read:
2.  Limitation on creating interest in principal's property.  Notwithstanding a grant 
of authority to do an act described in subsection 1, unless the power of attorney otherwise 
provides, an agent that is not an ancestor, spouse, registered domestic partner or descendant 
of the principal may not exercise authority under a power of attorney to create in the agent, 
or in an individual to whom the agent owes a legal obligation of support, an interest in the 
principal’s property, whether by gift, right of survivorship, beneficiary designation, 
disclaimer or otherwise.
Sec. 15.  18-C MRSA §5-940, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is amended to read:
2.  New insurance or annuity contract for principal and family.  Procure new, 
different and additional contracts of insurance and annuities for the principal and the 
principal's spouse, registered domestic partner, children and other dependents and select 
the amount, type of insurance or annuity and mode of payment;
Sec. 16.  18-C MRSA §5-943, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, 
§2 and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is amended to read:
A.  Perform the acts necessary to maintain the customary standard of living of the 
principal, the principal's spouse or the principal's registered domestic partner and the 
following individuals, whether living when the power of attorney is executed or later 
born:
(1)  Individuals legally entitled to be supported by the principal; and
(2)  Individuals whom the principal has customarily supported or indicated the 
intent to support;
Sec. 17.  19-A MRSA §4002, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §66 
and c. 412, §7, is further amended to read:
4.  Family or household members.  "Family or household members"  means spouses 
or domestic partners or former spouses or former domestic partners, individuals presently 
or formerly living together as spouses, parents of the same child, adult household members 
related by consanguinity or affinity or minor children of a household member when the 
defendant is an adult household member and, for the purposes of Title 15, section 1023, 
subsection 4, paragraph B‑1 and Title 15, section 1094‑B, this chapter and Title 17‑A, 
sections 15, 207-A, 208‑D, 208‑E, 208‑F, 209-A, 210-B, 210-C, 211-A, 1802, 1804 and 
2301, subsection 1 only, includes individuals presently or formerly living together and 
individuals who are or were sexual partners. Holding oneself out to be a spouse is not 
necessary to constitute "living as spouses."   For purposes of this subsection, "domestic 
partners" means 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together under long-term 
arrangements that evidence a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each 
other's welfare.
Sec. 18.  21-A MRSA §1, sub-§13-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 122, §1, is 
repealed.
Sec. 19.  22 MRSA §2843, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 20, §1, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Permit for disinterment or removal.  A dead human body may not be disinterred 
or removed from any vault or tomb until the person in charge of the disinterment or removal 
has obtained a permit from the State Registrar of Vital Statistics or from the clerk of the 
municipality where the dead human body is buried or entombed.  The permit must be issued 
upon receipt of a notarized application signed by the next of kin of the deceased who 
verifies that the signer is the closest surviving known relative and, when any other family 
member of equal or greater legal or blood relationship or a domestic partner of the decedent 
also survives, that all such persons are aware of, and do not object to, the disinterment or 
removal.  This subsection does not preclude a court of competent jurisdiction from ordering 
or enjoining disinterment or removal pursuant to section 3029 or in other appropriate 
circumstances.  For purposes of this subsection, "domestic partner" means one of 2 
unmarried adults who are domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence 
a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare.
Sec. 20.  22 MRSA §2843-A, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2015, c. 208, §1, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (1-A) to read:
(1-A)  A domestic partner.  For purposes of this section, "domestic partner" means 
the partner of the subject who:;
 (a)  Is a mentally competent adult;
 (b)  Had been legally domiciled with the subject for at least 12 months 
immediately preceding the death of the subject;
 (c)  Is not legally married to or legally separated from another individual;
 (d)  Was the sole partner of the subject; and
(e)  Was jointly responsible with the subject for each other's common welfare 
as evidenced by joint living arrangements, joint financial arrangements or joint 
ownership of real or personal property;
Sec. 21.  22 MRSA §2846, first ¶, as amended by PL 2003, c. 672, §21, is further 
amended to read:
For the purposes of this chapter, the "authorized person" responsible person," in the 
context of responsibility for obtaining or filing a permit or certificate, means a member of 
the immediate family of the deceased, the domestic partner of the deceased, a person 
authorized in writing by a member of the immediate family of the deceased if no member 
of the immediate family of the deceased wishes to assume the responsibility or by the 
domestic partner of the deceased if the domestic partner does not wish to assume the 
responsibility or, in the absence of immediate family or a known domestic partner, a person 
authorized in writing by the deceased.  For purposes of this section, "domestic partner" 
means one of 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together under long-term arrangements 
that evidence a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare.
Sec. 22.  22 MRSA §2942, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 601, §2, is amended 
to read:
5.  Disinterested witness.  "Disinterested witness" means a witness other than the 
spouse, registered domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, grandparent or 
guardian of the individual who makes, amends, revokes or refuses to make an anatomical 
gift, or another adult who exhibited special care and concern for the individual and who is 
familiar with the individual's personal values.  "Disinterested witness" does not include a 
person to which an anatomical gift could pass under section 2951.
Sec. 23.  22 MRSA §2942, sub-§27, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 601, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 24.  22 MRSA §2949, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 601, §2, is 
amended to read:
C.  The registered domestic partner of the decedent;
Sec. 25.  22 MRSA §4313, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 62, §1, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Burial or cremation.  In the event of the death of an eligible person, the funeral 
director shall notify the overseer prior to burial or cremation or by the end of 3 business 
days following the funeral director's receipt of the body, whichever is earlier. 
Notwithstanding section 4305, subsection 3, paragraph C, a decision on any application for 
assistance with burial expenses need not be rendered until the overseer has verified that a 
relative or other resource is not available to pay for the direct burial or cremation costs, but 
the decision must be rendered within 8 days after receiving an application.  The father, 
mother, grandfather, grandmother, children or grandchildren, by consanguinity, or the 
spouse or registered domestic partner are responsible for the burial or cremation costs of 
the eligible person in proportion to their respective abilities.  When no legally liable relative 
possesses a financial capacity to pay either in lump sum or on an installment basis for the 
direct costs of a burial or cremation, the contribution of a municipality under this subsection 
is limited to a reasonable calculation of the funeral director's direct costs, less any and all 
contributions from any other source.  For the purposes of this subsection, "registered 
domestic partner" means an individual registered as a domestic partner under section 2710, 
subsection 3.
Sec. 26.  24 MRSA §2319-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §1 and 
affected by §5, is repealed.
Sec. 27.  24 MRSA §2319-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §1 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
4.  Evidence of domestic partnership.  As a condition of eligibility for coverage, a 
nonprofit hospital and medical service organization or a group policyholder may require a 
subscriber or member and the subscriber's or member's domestic partner to sign an affidavit 
attesting that the subscriber or member and the subscriber's or member's domestic partner 
meet the definition in subsection 1 of domestic partner under Title 1, section 72, subsection 
2-C and to show documentation of joint ownership or occupancy of real property, such as 
a joint deed, joint mortgage or joint lease, or the existence of a joint credit card, joint bank 
account or powers of attorney in which each domestic partner is authorized to act for the 
other.
Sec. 28.  24 MRSA §2319-A, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §1 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
6.  Termination of domestic partner benefits.  A nonprofit hospital and medical 
service organization may terminate coverage in accordance with other applicable 
provisions of this Title for the domestic partner of a subscriber or member upon notification 
by the subscriber or member that the domestic partner relationship has terminated.  A 
subscriber or member may not enroll another individual as a domestic partner under an 
individual or group contract until 12 months after the termination of coverage for a prior 
domestic partner.
Sec. 29.  24 MRSA §2907, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 376, §1, is 
amended to read:
A.  "Relative" means an alleged victim's spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, 
stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister or spouse's 
parents.  "Relative" includes these relationships that are created as a result of adoption.  
In addition, "relative" includes any person who has a domestic partner relationship with 
domestic partner of an alleged victim.  As used in this paragraph, "domestic partner" is 
a person who has registered as a domestic partner pursuant to Title 22, section 2710.
Sec. 30.  24-A MRSA §2741-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §2 and 
affected by §5, is repealed.
Sec. 31.  24-A MRSA §2741-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §2 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
4.  Evidence of domestic partnership.  As a condition of eligibility for coverage, an 
insurer may require a policyholder and the policyholder's domestic partner to sign an 
affidavit attesting that the policyholder and the policyholder's domestic partner meet the 
definition in subsection 1 of domestic partner under Title 1, section 72, subsection 2-C and 
to show documentation of joint ownership or occupancy of real property, such as a joint 
deed, joint mortgage or a joint lease, or the existence of a joint credit card, joint bank 
account or powers of attorney in which each domestic partner is authorized to act for the 
other.
Sec. 32.  24-A MRSA §2741-A, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §2 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
6.  Termination of domestic partner benefits.  An insurer may terminate coverage in 
accordance with other applicable provisions of this Title for the domestic partner of a 
policyholder upon notification by the policyholder that the domestic partner relationship 
has terminated.  A policyholder  may not enroll another individual as a domestic partner 
under an individual contract until 12 months after the termination of coverage for a prior 
domestic partner.
Sec. 33.  24-A MRSA §2832-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §3 and 
affected by §5, is repealed.
Sec. 34.  24-A MRSA §2832-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
4.  Evidence of domestic partnership.  As a condition of eligibility for coverage, an 
insurer or group policyholder may require a certificate holder and the certificate holder's 
domestic partner to sign an affidavit attesting that the certificate holder and the certificate 
holder's domestic partner meet the definition in subsection 1 of domestic partner under Title 
1, section 72, subsection 2-C and to show documentation of joint ownership or occupancy 
of real property, such as a joint deed, joint mortgage or a joint lease, or the existence of a 
joint credit card, joint bank account or powers of attorney in which each domestic partner 
is authorized to act for the other.
Sec. 35.  24-A MRSA §2832-A, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §3 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
6.  Termination of domestic partner benefits.  An insurer may terminate coverage in 
accordance with other applicable provisions of this Title for the domestic partner of a 
certificate holder upon notification by the certificate holder that the domestic partner 
relationship has terminated.  A certificate holder may not enroll another individual as a 
domestic partner under a group contract until 12 months after the termination of coverage 
for a prior domestic partner.
Sec. 36.  24-A MRSA §3952, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 90, Pt. B, §8, is 
amended to read:
4.  Dependent.  "Dependent" means a spouse, a domestic partner as defined in section 
2832‑A, subsection 1 or a child under 26 years of age.
Sec. 37.  24-A MRSA §4249, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §4 and 
affected by §5, is repealed.
Sec. 38.  24-A MRSA §4249, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
4.  Evidence of domestic partnership.  As a condition of eligibility for coverage, a 
health maintenance organization or group policyholder may require an enrollee or member 
and the enrollee's or member's domestic partner to sign an affidavit attesting that the 
enrollee or member and enrollee's or member's domestic partner meet the definition in 
subsection 1 of domestic partner under Title 1, section 72, subsection 2-C and to show 
documentation of joint ownership or occupancy of real property, such as a joint deed, joint 
mortgage or a joint lease, or the existence of a joint credit card, joint bank account or powers 
of attorney in which each domestic partner is authorized to act for the other.
Sec. 39.  24-A MRSA §4249, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 347, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read:
6.  Termination of domestic partner benefits.  A health maintenance organization 
may terminate coverage in accordance with other applicable provisions of this Title for the 
domestic partner of an enrollee or member upon notification by the enrollee or member 
that the domestic partner relationship has terminated.  An enrollee or member  may not 
enroll another individual as a domestic partner under an individual or group contract until 
months after the termination of coverage for a prior domestic partner.
Sec. 40.  24-A MRSA §6903, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 469, Pt. A, §8, is 
amended to read:
3.  Dependent.  "Dependent" means a spouse, a domestic partner, an unmarried child 
under 19 years of age, a child who is a student under 23 years of age and is financially 
dependent upon a plan enrollee or a person of any age who is the child of a plan enrollee 
and is disabled and dependent upon that plan enrollee. "Dependent" may include a domestic 
partner consistent with sections 2741-A, 2832-A and 4249 and Title 24, section 2319‑A.
Sec. 41.  26 MRSA §843, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 261, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 42.  26 MRSA §875, sub-§1, ¶E, as amended by PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. C, §80 
and affected by PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14, is further amended to read:
E.  The employee is unable to work because the employee is needed to provide care or 
assistance to one or more of the following individuals:  the employee's spouse or 
domestic partner as defined under Title 18‑C, section 1‑201, subsection 14; the 
employee's parent; or the employee's child or child for whom the employee is the legal 
guardian.
Sec. 43.  39-A MRSA §102, sub-§11, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 452, §3, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (4) in the first blocked paragraph to read:
Any person may revoke or rescind that person's waiver upon 30 days' written notice 
to the board and that person's employer. The parent, spouse, domestic partner as 
defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child of a person who has made 
a waiver under the previous sentence may state, in writing, that the parent, spouse, 
domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child 
waives all the benefits and privileges provided by the workers' compensation laws 
if the board finds that the waiver is not a prerequisite condition to employment and 
if the parent, spouse, domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, 
subsection 1 or child is employed by the same corporation that employs the person 
who has made the first waiver;
Sec. 44.  39-A MRSA §102, sub-§11, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 452, §3, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (5) to read:
(5)  Except for persons engaged in harvesting of forest products, the parent, spouse, 
domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child of a 
sole proprietor who is employed by that sole proprietor or the parent, spouse, 
domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child of a 
partner who is employed by the partnership of that partner or the parent, spouse, 
domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child of a 
member of a limited liability company who is employed by that limited liability 
company may state, in writing, that the parent, spouse, domestic partner as defined 
in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1 or child waives all the benefits and 
privileges provided by the workers' compensation laws if the board finds that the 
waiver is not a prerequisite condition to employment;
Sec. 45.  39-A MRSA §102, sub-§11, ¶B-1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 350, §2, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (1), division (b) to read:
(b)  Performs all of the wood harvesting alone or with the assistance of one or 
more of the following persons whose relationship with the person is that of 
spouse, domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1, 
parent, sibling, child, niece or nephew;
Sec. 46.  39-A MRSA §102, sub-§11, ¶B-1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 350, §2, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  A spouse, domestic partner as defined in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 
1, parent, sibling, child, niece or nephew of a person who contracts directly with 
the landowner to perform all of the wood harvesting alone or with the assistance 
of one or more of the following:  the person's spouse, domestic partner as defined 
in Title 24, section 2319‑A, subsection 1, parent, sibling, child, niece or nephew; 
or
SUMMARY
This bill provides consistency throughout the Maine Revised Statutes by enacting as a 
subsection in the general words and phrases statute that applies to all of the Maine Revised 
Statutes the definition of "domestic partner" included in the Maine Uniform Probate Code.  
The bill repeals all other definitions of "domestic partner."  It also removes limitations on 
effect in the laws governing representation of a limited liability company in an eviction 
action without an attorney, the Maine Uniform Power of Attorney Act, the Revised 
Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and the laws governing disposition of dead bodies to only 
those domestic partners who are registered.