LEGISLATION/COMMITTEE ON FAMILY
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Latimer, Abinanti, Mosiello, Oros and Ryan
FAMILY
MEMBERS: Noto, Bronz, Latimer
STAFF: Bass, Giordano
GUESTS: William Randolph (CE); Vasyl Yablonski (CE), Liz Salvi (Co. Atty Office), Charlene Indelicato (County Attorney), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Co. Atty Office), Julie Domonkos(My Sister’s Place), Deb Volberg Pagnotta, WC Women’s Advisory Board), Camille Murphy, Ann Nelson (LWV)
The Chair, Andrea-Stewart Cousins called the Joint meeting on Legislation and Committee on Families to order at: 1:38 p.m.
The two items of focus will be:
1. Domestic Partner Registry
2. Victims of Gender Motivated Violence
Item 1:
Domestic Partner Registry
Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz explained The Domestic Registry and that it basically establishes a registry in the Office of the County Clerk for people who officially want to register as domestic partners. This is for County residents and includes County employees as well. The law defines the domestic partnership as a relationship between two people who are at least 18 years of age, and competent to contract, unmarried, not related, living together and sharing common financial interdependent household and declare an intention to continue in their relationship. Basically a notarized affidavit will be filed
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MINUTES –FEBRUARY 26, 2001
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with the County Clerk’s Office, and assuming all of the qualifications are met to register as domestic partners, they will receive a Certificate of Domestic Partnership from the County Clerk’s office.
Charlene Indelicato added that this registration will not confer any benefits to registrants and that it is simply a registry to have verification of status.
It was also stated that State employees have a registration already set up which enables individuals to qualify for benefits because of the partnership relationship. Questions were raised about how other localities handle their registries and what other benefits could be conferred. The County Attorneys’ office promised to investigate these further.
It was agreed that Partnership Registry will be further discussed at our next meeting. Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins then moved to discussing Gender Motivated Violence.
Item 2:
This law, based on New York City Law, creates a “cause of action” for victims of a gender motivated violent act or assault. If passed, victims would be allowed to bring a civil action against the person who assaulted them.
After general discussion, a motion was made by Bronz that The Gender Motivated Violence is to be signed out for all purposes. The motion was seconded by Oros. All in favor, 7-0.
Oros made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Ryan. All in Favor 7-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.