Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Monica Cepero
Department: County Administration
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Article VIII of Chapter 16½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, pertaining to the Broward County Domestic Partnership Act of 1999 (“Domestic Partnership Act”), to reflect changes in law since its original enactment.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Board direction is required for the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the Broward County Code of Ordinances.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the required direction to the Office of the County Attorney.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Board Goal: “Ensuring economic opportunities for Broward’s diverse population and businesses.”
The Domestic Partnership Act requires County contractors to provide equal benefits to their employees’ domestic partners on the same basis as they provide to their employees’ spouses. When the Domestic Partnership Act was enacted in 1999, same-sex marriages were not recognized by applicable law.
In 2015, the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges allowed same-sex partners to become legally married. Since the legalization of same-sex marriage, many contractors no longer offer benefits to domestic partners. However, under the Domestic Partnership Act, a vendor is precluded from responding to a County competitive solicitation unless the vendor offers equal benefits to domestic partners, even if the vendor offers equal benefits to same-sex spouses.
This item would direct the Office of the County Attorney to prepare an amendment to the Domestic Partnership Act to provide potential County vendors with the option to provide equal benefits to same-sex domestic partners or same-sex spouses, or both.
Source of Additional Information
Monica Cepero, County Administrator, 954-357-7000
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
To be determined by the Office of Management and Budget upon presentation of a draft Ordinance.