Article: Companies uncover loopholes in N.J. civil union law

One year after New Jersey passed a law allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions, a state commission has found flaws in its implementation.

Many employers have found loopholes in the law so they can avoid offering insurance to the domestic partners of employees. The Federal Employment Retirement Income security Act (ERISA) regulates companies that "create their own insurance plans but [sometimes] hire outside agencies to administer them." By claiming federal jurisdiction, companies argue they must follow the federal Defense of Marriage Act, not the state civil union law.

Civil union laws "too often deprive same-sex couples and their families the protection that married heterosexual ...

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