Key Votes
SB 2 - Authorizes Civil Unions - Key Vote
Colorado Key Votes
Ted Harvey voted Nay (Passage) on this legislation.
Read recent statements Ted Harvey made in this general time period.
Stages
Family
Issues
- Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- Marriage, Family, and Children
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Stage Details
Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (23-12) - April 26, 2012 (Key vote)
Title: Authorizes Civil Unions
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that defines marriage and authorizes civil unions, effective October 12, 2012.
Highlights:
- Defines "marriage" as the legally-recognized union of 1 man and 1 woman" (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that a civil union is a legal relationship established by two people to receive benefits and responsibilities comparable to spousal benefits and responsibilities which include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
- Financial support;
- Workers' compensation benefits;
- Responsibilities relating to adoption;
- Health insurance coverage and life insurance benefits;
- Domestic abuse program benefits;
- Public assistance benefits;
- Decisions relating to emergency and nonemergency medical care; and
- Decisions relating to disposition of last remains.
- Requires both parties in a civil union to meet the following eligibility criteria (Sec. 2):
- Both parties are over the age of 18, regardless of their gender;
- Neither party is under guardianship;
- Neither party is party to another civil union; and
- Neither party is married.
- Prohibits individuals from entering into a civil union with any of the following individuals (Sec. 2):
- An ancestor;
- A descendant;
- A brother or sister;
- An aunt or uncle; or
- A niece or nephew.
- Authorizes private child placement agencies to refuse to place a child in foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of a child with persons who have entered into a civil union violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies (Sec. 2).
- Specifies that a partner in a civil union may be considered a dependent, including designation as a dependent for insurance purposes, effective January 1, 2013 (Sec. 7).
Legislation - Introduced (Senate) - Jan. 11, 2012
Title: Authorizes Civil Unions
Sponsors
- Edward Casso (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Mark Ferrandino (CO - D)
- Lucia Guzman (CO - D)
- Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (CO - D)
- Daniel Kagan (CO - D)
- Andrew 'Andy' Kerr (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Claire Levy (CO - D)
- Joe Miklosi (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Sue Schafer (CO - D)
- Jonathan Singer (CO - D)
- Patrick 'Pat' Steadman (CO - D)
- David L. 'Dave' Young (CO - D)
Co-sponsors
- Irene Aguilar (CO - D)
- Bob L. Bacon (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Betty Boyd (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Morgan L. Carroll (CO - D)
- Joyce Foster (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Angela Giron (CO - D)
- Rollie Heath 'Rollie' Heath II (CO - D)
- Mary A. Hodge (CO - D)
- Evie Hudak (CO - D)
- Cheri E. Jahn (CO - D)
- Michael 'Mike' Johnston (CO - D)
- John P. Morse (CO - D)
- Linda M. Newell (CO - D)
- Jeanne Nicholson (CO - D)
- Ellen S. Roberts (CO - R)
- Brandon C. Shaffer (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
- Lois A. Tochtrop (CO - D)
- Suzanne S. Williams (CO - D) (Out Of Office)
