A bill that would give the domestic partners of federal employees the same benefits as the spouses of federal employees has been passed in a key House sub-committee.

The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, introduced by Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), mandates that same-sex partners of federal employees would be eligible for health benefits, long-term care, family and medical leave, and federal retirement benefits, among others.  The bill also stipulates that partners of federal employees would be subject to the same responsibilites that apply to the spouses of federal employees, such as anti-nepotism rules and financial disclosure requirements.

Baldwin released a statement shortly after the 5-3 vote passage of the bill announcing she was “delighted” by the subcommittee’s action and for Chairman Lynch’s support of the issue.

“Extending benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees is more than a matter of fairness,” said Baldwin.  “As a majority of Fortune 500 companies have already demonstrated, equality and diversity in the workplace boost productivity and help attract and keep the most qualified employees,” Baldwin said.

The bill, if passed by Congress, would also formalize President Obama’s memorandum calling for federal agencies to extend certain benefits to same-sex couples.  At a White House ceremony in June, the President announced his support of the measure.

Learn more about the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act and other pending LGBT-related federal legislation at the Web site of the Human Rights Campaign.