Vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty

Full Bill Text
Veto Letter

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that provides death rights to domestic partners.

Highlights:

-Authorizes a surviving domestic partner to present a claim for death by wrongful act or omission within one year after the alleged injury or loss resulting in the death (Sec. 1, Sec. 3). -Authorizes the domestic partner of the decedent to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased person (Sec. 2). -Defines domestic partners as two persons who (Sec. 2, Sec. 4):

-Are the same sex; -Are adults and mentally competent to enter into legally binding contracts; -Have assumed responsibility for each other's basic common welfare, financial obligations, and well being; -Share a common domicile and primary residence with each other on a permanent basis; -Have a committed interdependent relationship with each other, intend to continue that relationship indefinitely, and do not have this type of relationship with any other person; -Are not married to another person and have not entered into a domestic partnership arrangement that is currently in effect; and -Are not related by blood or adoption so marriage between them would be prohibited.

-Authorizes the surviving domestic partner to recover the amount the jury deems fair and just in reference to the pecuniary loss resulting from the death (Sec. 4). -Authorizes the surviving domestic partner to write a petition to the court to appoint a suitable and competent person as trustee to commence or continue such action and obtain recovery of damages (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that provides death rights to domestic partners.

Highlights:

-Authorizes a surviving domestic partner to present a claim for death by wrongful act or omission within one year after the alleged injury or loss resulting in the death (Sec. 1, Sec. 3). -Authorizes the domestic partner of the decedent to control the disposition of the remains of a deceased person (Sec. 2). -Defines domestic partners as two persons who (Sec. 2, Sec. 4):

-Are the same sex; -Are adults and mentally competent to enter into legally binding contracts; -Have assumed responsibility for each other's basic common welfare, financial obligations, and well being; -Share a common domicile and primary residence with each other on a permanent basis; -Have a committed interdependent relationship with each other, intend to continue that relationship indefinitely, and do not have this type of relationship with any other person; -Are not married to another person and have not entered into a domestic partnership arrangement that is currently in effect; and -Are not related by blood or adoption so marriage between them would be prohibited.

-Authorizes the surviving domestic partner to recover the amount the jury deems fair and just in reference to the pecuniary loss resulting from the death (Sec. 4). -Authorizes the surviving domestic partner to write a petition to the court to appoint a suitable and competent person as trustee to commence or continue such action and obtain recovery of damages (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that provides a legal definition for "domestic partner" and allows for one domestic partner to make certain end of life decisions for the other.

Highlights:

-Adds references to domestic partner in state, municipal, and general wrongful death laws (Secs. 1, 3, 4, 5). -Adds domestic partner directly below spouse in order of priority for dealing with the remains of the deceased (Sec. 2). -Defines domestic partners to be adults of the same sex living together who have committed to a codependent permanent relationship with each other (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text