Pinellas County Commissioners have approved a countywide domestic partnership registry for unmarried couples in a 6-1 vote. The registry extends certain legal protections to both straight and same-sex couples that choose to enter into a domestic partnership. These protections include hospital visitation rights and the ability to make healthcare decisions for one another.
Several cities in the county — St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Gulfport — passed their own domestic partnership laws within the past year. Hillsborough County is also drafting similar legislation.
State Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Fort Lauderdale) has also introduced a statewide domestic partnership bill, filing it for the March session of the Florida Legislature.
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2013.
