HRC - Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act Introduced in U.S. House and Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 19, 2013

Paul Guequierre

Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act Introduced in U.S. House and Senate

Legislation Would Ensure All Federal Employees Receive Equal Pay for Equal Work

WASHINGTON – While the Supreme Court’s decision striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act and guidance from the Office of Personnel Management have made clear that federal workers’ same-sex spouses are now eligible for benefits, there are still federal employees who cannot access marriage and thus continue to be denied critical health, retirement and other benefits for their families.   In an effort to remedy that continued inequality, today the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO) of 2013 was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate.  The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and in the House by Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) would provide benefits for same-sex domestic partners of federal civilian employees on the same basis as spousal benefits. These benefits would include participation in applicable retirement programs, life and health insurance benefits, and family and medical leave.

"DPBO is about the basic concept of fairness in the workplace,” said Human Rights Campaign Legislative Director Allison Herwitt.  “Corporate America has led the charge in offering equal pay for equal work, and the U.S. Supreme Court sent a message this summer that the Federal government should follow their lead.  Equal workplace policies, like those DPBO would enact, will help attract and retain the best and brightest talent, which is exactly what our federal workforce needs.” 

In the wake of the Windsor decision, the Office of Personnel Management issued guidance making clear that federal employees’ same-sex spouses, regardless of where they live, are now equally eligible for spousal health, retirement and other benefits.  However, because same-sex marriage is only legal in thirteen states and the District of Columbia, there are thousands of same-sex couples, including federal employees, who are unable to marry in their states.  Traveling to another state in order to marry can be burdensome for these couples, and entering into a legal status that will not be recognized in their home state can create legal burdens, as well as expose them to discrimination or harassment in a state without laws protecting individuals based on their sexual orientation.  However, DPBO has been updated in this Congress to limit eligibility for domestic partner benefits to those individuals who do not live in a state where marriage is available to same-sex couples. 

Currently, 62 percent of Fortune 500 companies provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.  Many of America's leading companies, including defense giant Raytheon, IBM, Microsoft, Shell Oil, Walt Disney, Owens Corning, Citigroup, Whirlpool, Time Warner, and United and American Airlines offer these benefits. In addition, twenty-four states, the District of Columbia, and more than 100 local governments offer their public employees these benefits. 

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality.  By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. 

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