SB 5769 - DIGEST

     Declares that parties to a civil union have all the same benefits, protections, obligations, and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage.

     Provides that parties to a civil union are responsible for the support of one another to the same degree and in the same manner as prescribed under law for married  persons.

     Declares that the law of domestic relations, including community property, separation and dissolution, child custody and support, property division, and maintenance apply to parties to a civil union.

     Provides that parties to a civil union may modify the terms, conditions, or effects of their civil union in the same manner and to the same extent as married persons who execute an agreement recognized and enforceable under the law, setting forth particular understandings with respect to their union.

     Provides that the rights of parties to a civil union, with respect to a child of whom either party becomes the natural parent during the term of the civil union, is the same as those of a married couple, with respect to a child of whom either spouse becomes the natural parent during the marriage.