Insurance delayed for domestic partners

(AP) - Nevada will start offering insurance coverage to domestic partners of state and some other government employees in July 2010 - nine months after the Oct. 1 effective date of a new state law granting such benefits.

Officials with the Public Employees Benefits Board voted unanimously to delay extending the benefits, saying more time is needed to set rates and coverage plans that include domestic partners and their children.

The domestic partner bill extends rights similar to those held by married couples - including community property and debt and the right to seek financial support after a breakup - to cohabitating couples, whether gay or straight, who register with the secretary of state's office.