HB4731eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4731 Engrossed LRB095 17236 AMC 43296 b

AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by adding Section 17-121.1 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/17-121.1 new)

Sec. 17-121.1. Domestic partner eligibility.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2008, an unmarried teacher may designate a domestic partner by filing a written designation with the Fund in the manner prescribed by the Fund. The Fund may require reasonable evidence that the person designated meets the qualifications set forth in subsection (c). Such a designation is revocable at any time, but may not be made or changed more than once in any 24-month period. The marriage of a teacher automatically revokes any designation of a domestic partner previously made by that teacher.

(b) The designated domestic partner of a teacher shall be eligible to receive survivor and death benefits under this Article in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as a surviving spouse. For the purposes of determining eligibility for those benefits, the date of designation of a domestic partner shall be deemed the equivalent of the date of marriage, and the revocation or change of a designation shall be deemed the equivalent of termination of the marriage. References in this Article and other applicable Articles of this Code to a surviving spouse shall be deemed to include a surviving designated domestic partner.

(c) "Domestic partner" means an individual of the same gender as an unmarried teacher who (1) is involved with the teacher in a long-term relationship of indefinite duration; (2) has resided together with the teacher at the same address for at least 12 months; (3) is not related to the teacher by blood to a degree of closeness that would prohibit legal marriage in the state in which they legally reside; (4) is not married to any other person; and (5) has an exclusive mutual commitment to the teacher in which they agree to be jointly responsible for each other's common welfare and to share financial obligations.

Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.32 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.32 new)

Sec. 8.32. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.