B.__Is not legally married to or legally separated from another individual;

C.__Is the sole partner of the member and expects to remain so; and

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

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §17001, sub-§39, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 801, §§5 and 7, is amended to read:

39. Spouse. "Spouse" means the person currently legally married to a member. "Spouse" also means the domestic partner of a member.

Sec. 5. 18-A MRSA §1-201, sub-§(10-A) is enacted to read:

(10-A)__"Domestic partner" means the partner of a decedent who:

A.__Was legally domiciled with the decedent for at least 12 months;

B.__Is not legally married to or legally separated from another individual;

C.__Was the sole partner of the decedent at the time of the decedent's death; and

E.__Was jointly responsible with the decedent for each other's common welfare as evidenced by joint living arrangements, joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property.

Sec. 6. 18-A MRSA §1-201, sub-§(39-A) is enacted to read:

(39-A)__"Spouse" includes the domestic partner of the decedent.

Sec. 7. 36 MRSA §111, sub-§1-C is enacted to read:

1-C.__Domestic partner.__"Domestic partner" means the partner of an individual who: