2024 -- H 7915

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LC005178

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM --

CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

     

     Introduced By: Representative Thomas E. Noret

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 36-10-40 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-10 entitled "Retirement

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System — Contributions and Benefits" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     36-10-40. Domestic partner — Definition.

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     For purposes of this chapter, “domestic partner” shall be defined as a person who, prior to

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the decedent’s death, was in an exclusive, intimate and committed relationship with the decedent,

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and who certifies by affidavit that their relationship met the following qualifications:

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     (1) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age and were mentally competent to

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contract;

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     (2) Neither partner was married to anyone else;

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     (3) Partners were not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the

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state of Rhode Island;

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     (4) Partners resided together and had resided together for at least one year at the time of

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death; and

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     (5) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by at least two (2) of the

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following:

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     (i) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;

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     (ii) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;

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     (iii) Two (2) of: (A) joint ownership of motor vehicle; (B) joint checking or savings

 

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account; (C) joint credit account; (D) any lease that includes both partners including, but not limited

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to any joint lease; and/or

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     (iv) The domestic partner had been designated as a beneficiary for the decedent’s will,

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retirement contract, city or town beneficiary designation form or life insurance.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and have retroactive application.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM --

CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

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     This act would amend the definition of "domestic partner" for purposes of the retirement

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system -- contributions and benefits chapter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005178

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