TITLE 36

Public Officers and Employees

CHAPTER 36-10

Retirement System–Contributions and Benefits

SECTION 36-10-40



   § 36-10-40  Domestic partner –

Definition. –

For purposes of this chapter, "domestic partner" shall be defined as a person

who, prior to the decedent's death, was in an exclusive, intimate and committed

relationship with the decedent, and who certifies by affidavit that their

relationship met the following qualifications:



   (1) Both partners were at least eighteen (18) years of age

and were mentally competent to contract;



   (2) Neither partner was married to anyone else;



   (3) Partners were not related by blood to a degree which

would prohibit marriage in the state of Rhode Island;



   (4) Partners resided together and had resided together for at

least one year at the time of death; and



   (5) Partners were financially interdependent as evidenced by

at least two (2) of the following:



   (i) Domestic partnership agreement or relationship contract;



   (ii) Joint mortgage or joint ownership of primary residence;



   (iii) Two (2) of: (A) joint ownership of motor vehicle; (B)

joint checking account; (C) joint credit account; (D) joint lease; and/or



   (iv) The domestic partner had been designated as a

beneficiary for the decedent's will, retirement contract or life insurance.



History of Section.

(P.L. 2007, ch. 510, § 12.)