Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends medical visitation and decision-making rights to domestic partners.

Highlights:

- Grants the following rights to domestic partners (Sec. 1):

- Hospital visitation rights, unless the visit would threaten the patients health, if the patient requested that the partner not visit, or if the hospital does not allow visitors; - The right to make decisions about their partner's health care if their partner is incapable of doing so unless they have appointed a health care agent or guardian; - The right to accompany their partner in an emergency vehicle; and - Control over final arrangements for their partner's body, including the right to give consent for a postmortem examination of their partner's body and the right to decide how the body will be disposed if not specified by the deceased partner.

- Requires proof of a domestic partnership, such as an affidavit or supporting documents for an individual to exercise these rights, except for accompanying a partner in an emergency vehicle or hospital visitation, for which only a good faith statement is required [sec. 1 (6-101) (B)]. - Specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to define marriage as anything other than an arrangement between a man and a woman in the state of Maryland (Sec. 3). - Defines domestic partnership as a relationship between two individuals who [sec. 1 (6-101) (A)]:

- Are at least 18 years old; - Are not related by blood or marriage; - Are not married, in a civil union, or domestic partnership with another individual; and - Agree to be in a relationship of mutual interdependence.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends medical visitation and decision-making rights to domestic partners.

Highlights:

- Grants the following rights to domestic partners (Sec. 1):

- Hospital visitation rights, unless the visit would threaten the patients health, if the patient requested that the partner not visit, or if the hospital does not allow visitors; - The right to make decisions about their partner's health care if their partner is incapable of doing so unless they have appointed a health care agent or guardian; - The right to accompany their partner in an emergency vehicle; and - Control over final arrangements for their partner's body, including the right to give consent for a postmortem examination of their partner's body and the right to decide how the body will be disposed if not specified by the deceased partner.

- Requires proof of a domestic partnership, such as an affidavit or supporting documents for an individual to exercise these rights, except for accompanying a partner in an emergency vehicle or hospital visitation, for which only a good faith statement is required [sec. 1 (6-101) (B)]. - Specifies that nothing in the bill may be construed to define marriage as anything other than an arrangement between a man and a woman in the state of Maryland (Sec. 3). - Defines domestic partnership as a relationship between two individuals who [sec. 1 (6-101) (A)]:

- Are at least 18 years old; - Are not related by blood or marriage; - Are not married, in a civil union, or domestic partnership with another individual; and - Agree to be in a relationship of mutual interdependence.

Full Bill Text