Home ·  Fox Parkersburg ·  My 5
Home  ·   Fox Parkersburg  ·   My5
News
Weather
Sports
Obituaries
Schools
Community
Interact
Games
Buy & Sell
Services
Seen on WTAP News
Station Info
Online News Poll
How concerned are you about the air quality where you live?

Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not concerned at all


Benefits for Same-Sex Partners Save Email Print
WTAP News
Posted: 11:58 PM Jun 29, 2004
Last Updated: 4:41 PM Jan 23, 2007
Reporter: Gil McClanahan

A | A | A

Soon three of Ohio's public four-year universities will offer full paid benefits including health care, dental care and free tuition to the same-sex domestic partners of employees.

Miami University in Oxford and Ohio University in Athens were the first to announce they would offer the benefits starting Thursday. That kicked in a contract clause at Cleveland State that requires offering the benefits to same-sex partners if another public university does so. Administrators will meet with unions in about ten days to work out the details.

Because of federal tax laws, the value of the new benefits will be taxed as income. That's unlike the benefits offered a heterosexual spouse. Ohio's two-month-old ban on same-sex marriage doesn't include benefits offered by an employer.

Ohio's recently enacted ban on same-sex marriage does not forbid the 13 state-sponsored universities and two medical schools from extending financial benefits such as insurance to unmarried domestic partners to employees.

Schools that offer full or partial benefits require the employees to register their partners, usually through a sworn legal statement. Here are the four-year schools and benefits they offer same-sex partners:

  • Miami and Ohio universities: Health and dental coverage, sick leave and family medical leave to care for an ill partner and tuition-free classes. Because of federal tax laws, the benefits would be taxable as income, unlike with heterosexual married couples.

  • Cleveland State University: Sick leave and family and medical leave, life insurance and free counseling, including mental health and substance abuse help. Will meet with unions in early July to plan implementation of full paid benefits similar to those at Miami and Ohio.

  • Ohio State University: For all domestic partners: university child care center, financial planning sessions, employee discounts, free counseling, sick leave and family and medical leave. For same-sex partners only: group life insurance, some health discounts and a $15 yearly medical referral service that can be used during international travel.

  • Wright State and Youngstown State universities: Sick leave and family and medical leave.

  • University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, Central State University, Kent State University, University of Cincinnati, Shawnee State University, University of Toledo, Medical College of Ohio and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine: None.

Source: Universities

More Stories
WTAP Drive Time Weather!

WVU-P Looking for Online Public Input

Watch Press Conference About Craig's Termination LIVE on WTAP.COM

Revamping WVa Prison System Carries Steep Price

WVa County Oks New Strip Club Restriction

Charleston Expects $1.84M In Stimulus Funds

Ohio Poised For 2Nd Temporary Budget

AP Analysis: Economic Stress Up In Much Of Nation

Travel