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Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland announced this week that state employees will now be able to designate same-sex spouses as dependents, the Washington Post is reporting.
Through this designation, the spouses are entitled to receive health-care, as well as many other benefits that are already afforded to husbands and wives of heterosexual state employees.
Under the new rules of the employee benefits program, members of same-sex unions who can show proof of a valid marriage certificate from another state or D.C., have until June 2 to enroll their spouse for coverage.The coverage would begin on or after July 1.
In February, Maryland’s Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler overturned a previously written opinion by stating that there was nothing barring the state from recognizing valid same-sex unions performed elsewhere. He found that same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual ones.
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