Some Kansas same-sex couples already receiving benefits

Lawrence, Kan. (AP) — State employees who are married to someone of the same sex can't yet put their spouses on their health insurance policies, but local government workers in Lawrence have been doing it for years.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the city of Lawrence, Douglas County and the Lawrence School district all offer family benefits to employees, their spouses and domestic partners, regardless of gender or whether the couples are legally married.

Assistant Douglas County administrator Sarah Plinsky says offering benefits to domestic partners meant family health coverage and other benefits were not a right or incident of marriage.

Still, she says the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide will make those benefits policies easier to administer and less costly for the families.

Information from: Lawrence  Journal-World, Lawrence, KS.

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The Gayly – July 6, 2015 @ 11:45am.