Hearing for bill supporting state-wide domestic partner registries in Florida capitol today

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A month after a bill pushing a domestic registry for unmarried Florida couples was rejected, Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood) is returning to the state capitol with a tweaked bill in hopes of finding success a second time around.

A Tallahassee committee will vote on state-wide legislation today that would recognize same-sex partnerships.

The Families First bill would grant gay, lesbian and heterosexual partners the right to own property together, visit each other in the hospital, and make emergency decisions for each other if need be.

Opponents of the registry say it’s a step toward legalizing gay marriage. 

Supporters of the bill say a domestic registry would provide a consistent law for the entire state instead of a complicated system of conflicting jurisdictions.

While the City of Tampa supports domestic partnerships, much of Florida doesn’t recognize them.