ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to extend health care benefits to same-sex partners of state workers.
Under the proposal, state workers and retirees could add domestic partners and their dependents to health, dental and prescription drug plans.
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman Ulysses Currie, a Democrat, backs the idea but notes that it’s early in the budget process. Republican Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, the minority leader, questions whether the benefits extension is "appropriate," given the state’s financial difficulties.
O’Malley extended benefits to same-sex partners of city employees when he was mayor of Baltimore, and he said he would do so statewide after he was elected governor.
Information from: The (Baltimore) Sun, https://www.baltimoresun.com