NEWS RELEASE
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004                       

EQUALITY MARYLAND
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 410-685-6567
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:    dan@equalitymaryland.org

EQUALITY MARYLAND PRAISES THE INTRODUCTION OF MEDICAL DECISION MAKING ACT OF 2004

Civil Rights Group Says Fair-Minded Maryland Legislators Should End Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples

BALTIMORE -- Equality Maryland, Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, applauded today the introduction of legislation that would help alleviate discrimination against families headed by same-sex couples in Maryland. The Medical Decision Making Act, House Bill 1284, would grant registered domestic partners the right to visit one another in the hospital and make medical decisions for one another. Several members of the General Assembly worked with Equality Maryland and the Human Rights Campaign to design the Medical Decision Making Act of 2004, which has more than forty co-sponsors. Delegate John A. Hurson (D Montgomery County), Chairman of the Health and Government Operations Committee, which will consider the bill, is the lead sponsor of the legislation.

"We commend Delegate Hurson's leadership in making an important statement about the state of Maryland treating all of its families with dignity and respect," said executive director Dan Furmanski. "While families headed by same-sex couples have the same needs as any other family, we are unfortunately denied crucial, basic protections under state law, such as the guaranteed right to make healthcare decisions for our partners in an emergency. The Medical Decision Making Act of 2004 will offer peace of mind to thousands of Maryland couples who are currently virtual strangers in the eyes of the law."

"I am pleased to introduce this important healthcare bill," commented Chairman Hurson. "This common sense legislation clarifies in the law practices that will allow couples to make critical healthcare decisions for their loved ones in our hospitals and other healthcare institutions in our state."

The Medical Decision Making Act is aimed at granting same-sex couples legal recognition by the state of Maryland based on the success of several programs nationwide. California's domestic partner registry has been in place since 1999, and legislation passed last year by the California Legislature will grant domestic partners nearly all of the rights and benefits under state law that married couples currently enjoy. Hawaii's reciprocal beneficiary program grants a number of important rights to same-sex couples, including inheritance rights and the ability to sue for wrongful death. A bill passed by the New Jersey legislature last month would provide for hospital-visitation and decision-making rights, an inheritance-tax exemption, and a state income-tax deduction for dependents, as well as providing partners of state employees with health insurance and pension coverage. In contrast, the bill in Maryland is similar to Connecticut's law, signed by Republican Gov. John G. Rowland in 2002, which makes domestic partners eligible for limited rights in cases of medical emergencies, old age and death.

Furmansky hopes this legislation will affirm Maryland's commitment to join other states on this important civil rights issue. "Now is the time for Maryland to follow the leads of other states in removing the cloak of discrimination against a segment of its citizens," Furmansky said. "This legislation will help to allay fears, remedy discrimination, recognize families, and achieve a closer measure of equal protection under the law."

According to 2000 census data, there are more than 11,000 families headed by same-sex couples in Maryland, residing in every county in the state.
Currently, Maryland does not recognize relationships between gay and lesbian couples, no matter how long the commitment. In a 2001 poll commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign, 90% of respondents said they favor giving
same-sex couples hospital visitation rights.

Delegate Richard Madaleno, Jr. (D-Montgomery County), who is gay, praised the introduction of the legislation. "While this is a small step, it will provide gay and lesbian couples with piece of mind knowing that they will have rights and benefits at a time when their loved one is hospitalized or unable to make medical decisions."

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Equality Maryland is Maryland's largest LGBT civil rights organization, focused on making life better for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Maryland.   Equality Maryland works to secure and protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels and educating the public about the issues faced by our diverse community.

Equality Maryland can be found online at www.equalitymaryland.org