Decatur To Consider Repealing Domestic Partnership Benefits After Supreme Court Ruling
Decatur Metro | July 6, 2015 | 3:08 pm
With the landmark U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling a little over a week old, many local government employers are now having to consider whether they should repeal their same-sex partnership benefits policies and registries.
A quick search will show you that Cleveland just repealed theirs. The state of Maryland repealed domestic partnership benefits after same-sex marriage became legal there and Arizona did the same thing, according to this Sun Sentinel post from back in January. However, the Sun Sentinel also notes that city’s like New York City have continued to offer domestic partnership benefits, even after same-sex marriage became legal in that state.
As the Sun Sentinel summed it up, those who “offered domestic partnership benefits only to same-sex couples will be required under federal law to expand the benefits to include opposite-sex couples or do away with the benefits completely.”
So, back to Decatur…
At tonight’s Commission meeting, the Commission is scheduled to vote on the Decatur city staff’s recommendation that they repeal the same-sex domestic partner benefits policy that was adopted by the city in 2001.
Asst. City Manager Andrea Arnold states in a letter to City Manager Peggy Merriss recommending the repeal that “The purpose of offering the domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples was to allow those who were prevented by Georgia state law from marrying to be eligible for benefits that the City offered to employees who were married, but not offer benefits to those who could legally marry but choose not to be married.”
Additionally, keeping the benefits in their current form could open the city up to discrimination claims if the city only offered them to same-sex partners.
As such, the city is recommending repealing the benefits and allowing same-sex domestic partners 12 months “to be married to their domestic partner in order to continue receiving City spousal benefits.”
As always, the meeting begins at 7:30p tonight at Decatur City Hall. You can always watch meetings live on the city’s website.
Summary:
D. Amendments to the City’s Domestic Partner Policies.
1. Resolution R-15-24 recognizes spousal benefits and affirms the City’s Equal Opportunity policy.
On a motion by Mayor pro tem Cunningham, second by Commissioner Garrett, and Mayor Baskett; Mayor pro tem Cunningham; and Commissioners Boykin, Drake and Garrett voting “aye”, Resolution R-15-24 was approved as recommended.
2. Ordinance O-15-09 amends the Personnel Polices to add the term “spouse” and delete the term “spousal equivalent.” On a motion by Commissioner Garrett, second by Mayor pro tem Cunningham, and Mayor Baskett; Mayor pro tem Cunningham; and Commissioners Boykin, Drake and Garrett voting “aye”, Ordinance O-15-09 was approved as recommended.