House committee approves enhanced partnerships

OLYMPIA — A state legislative committee has approved a measure that would give same-sex domestic partners the same rights as married couples. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill Thursday on a 6-4 vote. It could be up for a vote on the House floor within the next few weeks. The bill would add domestic partners to all remaining areas of state law where rights or responsibilities are now conferred only to married couples. State lawmakers gave domestic partners some of the rights granted to married couples last year, and they’re expanding that effort.