Massachusetts H 3718: An Act expanding the definition of dependent for the purposes of municipal employee benefits as to the city of Cambridge

Bill Text

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4118 FILED ON: 1/30/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3718

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Marjorie C. Decker
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act expanding the definition of dependent for the purposes of municipal employee benefits
as to the city of Cambridge.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: DATE ADDED:
Marjorie C. Decker 25th Middlesex 1/30/2023

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4118 FILED ON: 1/30/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3718
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3718) of
Marjorie C. Decker (with the approval of the city council) relative to expanding the definition of
dependent for the purposes of municipal employee benefits in the city of Cambridge. Public
Service. [Local Approval Received.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act expanding the definition of dependent for the purposes of municipal employee benefits
as to the city of Cambridge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, in the City of
2 Cambridge, for Group Insurance Commission coverage purposes as established by General Laws
3 Chapter 32B, any domestic partner in a registered domestic partnership with an employee of the
4 City of Cambridge, shall be a "dependent" and shall be entitled to participate in the election of
5 coverages and benefits provided by the Group Insurance Commission to City of Cambridge
6 employees.
7 SECTION 2. Any member of a registered domestic partnership with the City of
8 Cambridge shall be considered a "spouse" with respect to all spousal rights established by the
9 General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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10 SECTION 3. Any surrogate bearing a child in surrogacy for a city employee, their spouse
11 or domestic partner in a registered domestic partnership, shall be considered a dependent for 12
12 months from the start of the pregnancy.
13 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.