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Canada body-parts murder victim identified
AUGUSTA, Maine, July 30 (UPI) -- Maine officials Friday began registering couples as "domestic partners," granting those who sign up the same state rights as traditionally married couples.
The registry law was passed by the Maine Legislature this year. It gives registered couples the same inheritance rights as married couples should one partner die without leaving a will. "Domestic partners" can be either same-sex or mixed-sex couples.
Supporters of the registry say it supports equal rights. Opponents claim the plan is a step toward Maine recognizing same-sex marriage.
The state legislature's bill said people qualify as "domestic partners" after filing a notarized state form along with a $35 filing fee, the Portland Press Herald reported. The couple must be unmarried, monogamous, mentally competent adults who have lived together in Mains for at least a year.
The Press Herald said Maine is the sixth state to recognize same-sex couples. A gay-rights bill was passed by state lawmakers in 1997 but was struck down in a state-wide referendum the following year.
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