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

A.__Is an adult as is the policyholder;

B.__Has been legally domiciled with the policyholder for at least 6 months;

C.__Is not legally married to another individual; and

E.__Is jointly responsible with the policyholder 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 health insurance policies or contracts issued by any insurer operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to unmarried policyholders the option for additional benefits for the domestic partner of the policyholder, at appropriate rates and under the same terms and conditions as those benefits or options for benefits are provided to spouses of married policyholders.

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

4.__Evidence of domestic partnership.__As a condition of eligibility for coverage, a policyholder and the policyholder'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 a 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 policyholder.

Sec. 3. 24-A MRSA §2832-A is enacted to read:

§2832-A.__Domestic partner benefits

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

A.__Is an adult as is the certificate holder;

B.__Has been legally domiciled with the certificate holder for at least 6 months;

C.__Is not legally married to another individual; and

E.__Is jointly responsible with the certificate holder 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 group or blanket health insurance policies or contracts issued by any insurer operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to unmarried certificate holders the option for additional benefits for the domestic partner of the certificate holder, at appropriate rates and under the same terms and conditions as those benefits or options for benefits are provided to spouses of married certificate holders.

3.__Financial dependency.__Financial dependency of a domestic partner on the certificate holder may not be required as a condition for eligibility for coverage.

4.__Evidence of domestic partnership.__As a condition of eligibility for coverage, a certificate holder and the certificate holder'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 a 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 certificate holder.

Sec. 4. 24-A MRSA §4249 is enacted to read:

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

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

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

D.__Is not legally married to another individual;

E.__Is jointly responsible with the enrollee 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 policies or contracts issued by any health maintenance organization operating pursuant to this chapter must provide to unmarried enrollees or members the option for additional benefits for the domestic partner of the enrollee 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 enrollees or members.

3.__Financial dependency.__Financial dependency of a domestic partner on the enrollee 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, an enrollee or member and the enrollee'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 a 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 an enrollee or member.

SUMMARY

This bill requires health carriers to offer policies providing coverage for domestic partners of health plan members under the same terms and conditions as coverage for spouses of health plan members. A domestic partner is defined as a person who is legally domiciled in the health plan member's household and who is not legally married to another individual.