CHAPTER 672

H.P. 1152 - L.D. 1579

An Act To Promote the Financial Security of Maine's Families

and Children

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 15 MRSA §321, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1995, c. 469, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "family or household members" means spouses or domestic partners or former spouses or former domestic partners, individuals presently or formerly living as spouses, natural parents of the same child, adult household members related by consanguinity or affinity or minor children of any household member when the offender is an adult household member. Holding oneself out to be a spouse is not necessary to constitute "living as spouses." For purposes of this subsection, "domestic partners" has the same meaning as in Title 18-A, section 1-201, subsection (10-A).

Sec. 2. 18-A MRSA §1-201, sub-§(10-A) is enacted to read:

(10-A)__"Domestic partner" means one of 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare.

Sec. 3. 18-A MRSA §1-201, sub-§(17), as enacted by PL 1979, c. 540, §1, is amended to read: