Domestic Partners Bill Advances To Full Nevada Senate Vote

A Nevada state Senate committee has approved a bill granting domestic partners benefits to same-sex couples, sending it on to the full Senate.

Senate Bill 283 would allow gay couples the right to enter into domestic partnerships, which would grant the same benefits to partners as married couples. It now will have to clear the Senate floor, where Democrats hold a slim 12 to 9 majority over Republicans. Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, sponsored the bill. He added an amendment Wednesday that exempts state and local government from being required to pay for domestic partner benefits.

Nevada passed a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in 2002.