Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District, announced today that Governor Paterson has signed her bill, A.2563-A/S.6177-A, into law. This bill provides that employers who provide funeral leave for family members of deceased spouse shall not deny such leave to same sex committed partners. “For years, individuals in same-sex relationships who are prohibited from civil marriage are often not granted bereavement leave to attend the funeral of their partner or partner's blood relation. This fails to acknowledge the value that any committed relationship contributes to our communities,” Glick stated.

“Now employers who give bereavement leave to married couples must give the same leave to their employees who have same-sex committed partners. This is one more example of the need to bring to same-sex couples all the rights of married couples,” Glick explained.

“Governor Paterson did the right thing in signing this bill. This bill passed with bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and Senate. People recognize the fact that family values can include people living in a committed, loving relationship. The pain of death affects both partners in a relationship whether that relationship is a civil marriage or a same sex committed relationship,” concluded Deborah Glick.

This bill was carried in the NYS Senate by Senator Velmanette Montgomery.