US Codex
Bill
Notes

Federal Benefits Equality Act

H.R. 2834 · 113th Congress · Jul 25, 2013 · Lineage

A BILL

To include under Federal laws granting rights and responsibilities to married couples other couples in other legal unions similar to marriage, including domestic partnerships and civil unions.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Federal Benefits Equality Act”.

2. Definition of marriage

(a)
In general— Section 7 of title 1, United States Code, is amended to read as follows—

“7. Marriage as including civil unions and domestic partnerships; spouse as including members of such unions

“In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, the term marriage includes a marriage, a domestic partnership, a civil union, or any other similar legal union between 2 individuals that is recognized by a State, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a federally recognized Indian tribe, and the word spouse refers to either member of such a legal union.”

(b)
Clerical amendment— The item for section 7 in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 is amended to read as follows: