Sec. 1. 24 MRSA §2319-A is enacted to read:

§2319-A.__Unmarried couples; partner benefits

1.__Definition.__For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "unmarried partner" means the life partner of a subscriber or member who:

A.__Is not a blood relative of the subscriber or member;

B.__Is not the same gender as the subscriber or member;

C.__Has lived with the subscriber or member for at least 6 months; and

D.__Is not legally married to another individual.

2.__Benefits.__All individual or group contracts issued by any nonprofit hospital or medical service organization operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to subscribers or members the benefits or options for benefits for the unmarried partner of the subscriber or member, at appropriate rates and under the same terms and conditions as those benefits or options for benefits are provided to spouses of married subscribers or members.

Sec. 2. 24-A MRSA §2741-A is enacted to read:

§2741-A.__Unmarried couples; partner benefits

1.__Definition.__For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "unmarried partner" means the life partner of a policyholder who:

A.__Is not a blood relative of the policyholder;

B.__Is not the same gender as the policyholder;

C.__Has lived with the policyholder for at least 6 months; and

D.__Is not legally married to another individual.

2.__Benefits.__All individual health insurance policies or contracts issued by any insurer operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to policyholders the benefits or options for benefits for the unmarried partner of the policyholder, at appropriate rates and under the same terms and conditions as