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

§2319-A.__Domestic partner benefits

1.__Definition.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "domestic partner" means the partner of a subscriber or member who:

A.__Is an adult as is the subscriber or member;

B.__Has been legally domiciled with the subscriber or member for at least 6 months;

C.__Is not legally married to another individual; and

D.__Is jointly responsible with the subscriber or member for each other's common welfare as evidenced by joint living arrangements, joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property.

2.__Domestic partner benefits.__All individual or group contracts issued by any nonprofit hospital or medical service organization operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to unmarried subscribers or members the option for additional benefits for the domestic 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.

3.__Financial dependency.__Financial dependency of a domestic partner on the subscriber or member may not be required as a condition for eligibility for coverage.

4.__Evidence of domestic partnership.__As a condition of eligibility for coverage, a subscriber or member and the subscriber's or member's domestic partner may be required to show documentation of joint ownership or occupancy of real property, such as a joint deed, joint mortgage or joint lease, or the existence of a joint credit card, joint bank account or powers of attorney in which each domestic partner is authorized to act for the other.

5.__Preexisting conditions.__A domestic partner is subject to the same provisions on coverage of preexisting conditions as any spouse or dependent of a subscriber or member.

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