Are civil unions available for same-sex couples?

Yes, civil unions are available for same-sex couples in Washington. The Washington Legislature passed the "Domestic Partnership Expansion and Civil Unions Act" in April 2007, which was designed to allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions and receive the same rights, privileges and responsibilities that married couples have. This act made Washington the second state in the United States to recognize same-sex civil unions. Civil unions are similar to marriages in that they offer couples the same rights, privileges and responsibilities under the law. These rights include the ability to make medical decisions for one another, and the right to take family and medical leave. Additionally, civil unions provide couples with the same legal recognition that would be given to married couples, including the ability to file joint taxes and receive survivor benefits in the event of a death of a partner. Civil unions offer a legal framework that provides same-sex couples with many of the same benefits that married couples enjoy. As long as both partners are 18 or over and meet certain legal requirements, same-sex couples can enter into civil unions in Washington. While civil unions do not carry the same level of recognition as a marriage, they do provide same-sex couples with many of the same protections and benefits.

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Are civil unions available for same-sex couples?

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