SECTION 1.  Section 2 of chapter 32B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word ”spouse,” in line 10, the following words:- or domestic partner.

                   SECTION 2.  Said section 2 of chapter 32B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting at the end of subsection (b) the following sentences:-

                   As used in this section, “domestic partner” shall mean an adult who has chosen to share his is her life in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring with an employee and who, along with the employee, meets the requirements of a domestic partnership.  For the purposes of this chapter, a domestic partnership shall be established when all of the following requirements are met:

                   (i)both persons have a common residence, which shall mean that both persons share at least one common residence and shall not require that the legal right to possess the common residence be in both of their names;

                   (ii)both persons are at least 18 years of age;

                   (iii)neither person is married to another person or is a member of another domestic partnership;

                   (iv)both persons are jointly responsible for each other’s basic living expenses, which shall mean basic food and shelter and the cost of medical care if one person is receiving or will receive health care benefits because of the domestic partnership; and

                   (v)both persons are not related in a way that would prevent them from being married in this state.