Does a civil union allow for hospital visitation rights?

Yes, a civil union does allow for hospital visitation rights in Texas. A civil union is a legally recognized union between two people of the same or opposite sex that grants the couple the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities of a marriage. These couples can visit each other in the hospital, make medical decisions on behalf of each other, gain certain tax benefits, and more. Although Texas has no civil union laws, same-sex couples in Texas can still gain many of the same rights and benefits as those in a civil union. The Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 declared same-sex marriage legal in all states, thus allowing same-sex couples in Texas the same hospital visitation rights as married couples. Additionally, Texas has a law known as the Health Care Power of Attorney, which allows two people in a committed relationship to designate each other as their health care agents. This allows those couple the right to make medical decisions on behalf of each other in the event of illness or disability. Overall, civil union laws in Texas do not exist yet; however, same-sex couples in Texas are still able to gain many of the same rights and benefits as those in a legally recognized union, such as the right to hospital visitation. This right, as well as others, are all now protected under the law.

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