N.M. Domestic Partnership Bill Goes to House

A proposal to allow for domestic partnerships is advancing to the New Mexico House for consideration.

Gov. Bill Richardson supports the measure to give unmarried couples — homosexual or heterosexual — the same legal protections and benefits as married couples.

The legislation cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Monday on a mostly party line 9-4 vote. All but one of the panel’s Republicans opposed the bill.

The proposal will allow county clerks to issue certificates of domestic partnership to couples who register with them.

The bill should come up for debate and a vote in the House this week.