RECOMMENDATION:

It is the recommendation of the Personnel and Benefits Subcommittee of the Select Committee on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns and the Work Group on Domestic Partners that:

• the University of Minnesota system implement domestic partnership registration for same sex couples and that
• the benefits and privileges extended to the spouse of married employees/students also be extended to the partner of registered same sex domestic partners and that
• the definition of "eligible dependent" for the purpose of health care coverage be interpreted to include the domestic partner and the children of either the employee/student or the partner and that
• the attached affidavit and registration procedures be used to register domestic partnership relationship at the University of Minnesota

WHAT BENEFITS:

Benefits would include but not be limited to the following: Health care insurance (medical, dental, and vision), resident tuition for same sex registered domestic partners, recreational sports membership, housing benefits, sick and bereavement leaves, child care services, and comparable retirement plans. The intent is to provide the same benefit package to both married employees and same sex registered domestic partner employees. As privileges and benefits would change for married employees they would similarly change for same sex registered domestic partners.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

Faculty, academic professionals, civil service, bargaining unit, graduate students, and undergraduate students of the University of Minnesota system. The privileges and benefits that are provided to married persons will also be provided to same sex registered domestic partners. Benefits available depend upon the type and percentage of appointment such as student, staff, or faculty.

DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP:

This recommendation is intended to cover the relationship of same sex domestic partners and not roommates. Domestic partnership has been defined in a variety of ways by different organizations, but a certain common thread runs through all of the definitions. Generally speaking, a domestic partnership is defined as two individuals of the same gender who are in a committed relationship of indefinite duration with an exclusive mutual commitment similar to that of marriage. The partners share the necessities of life and agree to be financially responsible for each other's well-being, including living expenses. It should be noted that domestic partners are not married to anyone else, and do not have another domestic partner. Domestic partners may not be related by blood.

We, the undersigned, declare under oath, that we:

1. Are not related by blood closer than permitted under marriage laws of the State of Minnesota;
2. Are not married;
3. Are of the same sex;
4. Have the sexual orientation of a homosexual;
5. Are at least 18 years of age and have the capacity to enter into a contract;
6. Have no other domestic partner;
7. Share a household; and
8. Are jointly responsible to each other for the necessities of life, We have checked below the types of documentation that we can provide if requested by the University of Minnesota:
   • ___ joint mortgage or lease

   • ___ proof of registration under Minneapolis domestic partners ordinance

   • ___ designation of domestic partner as beneficiary of life insurance and/or retirement contract

   • ___ designation of domestic partner as primary beneficiary of my will

   • ___ durable property and health care powers of attorney

   • ___ joint ownership of motor vehicle, joint checking account, or joint credit account

   • ___ or in manner evidencing a similar commitment

We agree to notify the University of Minnesota if there is any change of circumstances attested to in this declaration within thirty (30) days of change by filing a Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership with the Employee Benefits Department. We understand that an employee cannot register another domestic partner for six months after termination of a domestic partnership.

We provide this information for the sole use of the University of Minnesota and for the sole purpose of determining our eligibility for employee domestic partner benefits. If we can not provide this information, we understand we will not be eligible for domestic partner benefits. We understand that this information constitutes private information under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Ch. 363, and will be subject to disclosure only upon written consent or upon court order.

________________________________        __________________________________
Signature of Employee/Student           Signature of Domestic Partner

Dated:__________________________        Dated:____________________________

Subscribed and sworn to before me this  Subscribed and sworn to before me this
______day of____________, 19____        ______day of_____________, 19_____


________________________________        __________________________________
Notary Public                           Notary Public



NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

I, the undersigned, declare, under oath, the following:

      1.  ________________________________(the name) of the individual shown 
          on the declaration and I are no longer domestic partners; and

      2.  I mailed my former domestic partner a copy of this notice at

          ________________________________________________________________, on

          ___________________________________, 19______


Dated:___________________________

                                            __________________________________
                                            Signature

Subscribed and sworn to before me this_______day of______________, 19_____


__________________________________
Notary Public