LANSING, MI (WHTC) – State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Rick Jones has introduced a bill that would eliminate state-provided health insurance benefits for unmarried domestic partners of state employees. This would revoke a Granholm-era law for live-in couples and would mandate marriage to qualify for state programs. Children of state employees would still be covered under the Grand Ledge Republican’s bill.
Jones said that the current law opened up the system to the possibility of fraud and taxpayer dollar abuse and that, “If you are a state employee with a girlfriend or boyfriend and you want them to get state benefits, then make a commitment and get married … If you want it, put a ring on it.”
The bill was referred to the Government Operations Committee for consideration.