Domestic Partners Bill Advances

A “home-rule” petition, which would reinstate Cambridge’s ability to provide medical benefits to domestic partners has advanced to the State Senate.

The petition was filed by Cambridge Rep. Alice K. Wolf in the wake of a 2000 ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court that struck down a 1992 city ordinance that allowed domestic partners a variety of benefits including visitation rights, access to confidential records and health coverage.

The Catholic Action League and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) had challenged Cambridge’s ordinance, under a 1955 law restricting health benefits to “spouses” and dependents.

The two groups further claim that under Massachusetts “home-rule” amendment, the state law takes precedence over the local ordinance.

Last week, Wolf’s petition received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Public Service, and enjoys the support of fifty members of the senate.

In contrast, a bill sponsored by Sen. John Rodgers, which seeks to divest domestic partners of all state benefits, and rigidly define marriage, enjoys the open support of only five members.

The senate may be receptive to the proposal, in light of their 1999 passage of a bill that would provide domestic partner benefits at a state-wide bill. That bill failed to pass the House.

—Nicole M. Cederblom contributed to the reporting of this article.