Montgomery County employers will be required to give the same benefits to a worker with a domestic partner as a married employee under a local law that goes into effect Jan. 1.
Under the county law, domestic partnership is defined as a same-sex relationship licensed as a civil union or marriage in another jurisdiction or an “unlicensed relationship between two individuals of the same sex who share a close personal relationship and are responsible for each other’s welfare; have shared the same legal residence for at least 12 months; are at least 18 years old.”
The legislation applies to family medical leave, sick leave, health benefits, dental benefits, disability insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits. It affects only contracts that go into effect after the new year.
