By Rachel La Corte, The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s domestic partnership law by granting same-sex couples more than 170 of the benefits and responsibilities given to married couples, including property and guardianship rights.
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a gay lawmaker who sponsored the original domestic partnership measure last year, is sponsoring the expansion bill in the Senate this year.
Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, a lawyer who also is gay, is sponsoring the measure in the House.
A news conference to announce the bill was planned for today at the Capitol.
“It’s a significant piece of legislation, but it still leaves hundreds of rights and benefits and responsibilities of marriage out,” Murray said, noting that the bill only covers a fraction of the 485 rights and responsibilities married couples have.
