Resolution Number: 1997-C024
Title: Request the Medical Trust to Cover Domestic Partnerships in Health Plans
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church Clergy and Employees' Medical Trust be authorized to offer to dioceses which desire such coverage provision for the inclusion of domestic partners in its health insurance plans. The extension of such coverage shall not constitute an opinion as to what constitutes an ecclesiastically sanctioned domestic unit.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 88.

Legislative History

Author: Diocese of El Camino Real
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Church Pension Fund

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(C024)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Episcopal Church Clergy and Employees' Medical Trust be authorized to offer to dioceses which desire such coverage provision for the inclusion of domestic partners in its health insurance plans. The extension of such coverage shall not constitute an opinion as to what constitutes an ecclesiastically sanctioned domestic unit.

Debate followed on C024.

The clergy deputations of South Carolina and San Joaquin, and the lay deputation of Pittsburgh called for a Vote By Orders.

The question was called on C024.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A Vote By Orders was taken on Resolution C024 (Ballot #3).

Ballot #3 taken by orders

Deputy Wittlinger of Michigan moved to waive Rule HDRO 42 requiring the reading of negative and divided votes on Ballot #3 on C024 (Heath Insurance for Domestic Partners).

Motion defeated

The Secretary read the results of Ballot #3 on Resolution C024 (Health Insurance for Domestic Partners).

Type Total Necessary Yes No Divided Results
Lay: 112 57 63 32 17 Carried
Clerical: 113 57 66 26 21 Carried

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #37)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Church Pension Fund presented its Report #5 on HD Message #37 on Resolution C024 (Health Insurance for Domestic Partners), moved the resolution, and recommended rejection.

Bishop Charlton moved a substitute for Resolution C024.

Proposed Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that General Convention shall immediately suspend all deliberations relating to "Domestic Partnerships" until a majority of both Houses have agreed upon a definition of the term, and be it further

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the Executive Council be instructed to suspend all action relating to "Domestic Partnerships" until it received instructions and permission to proceed from the General Convention, and be it further

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the Trustees of the Church Pension Fund, and those in authority in the Dioceses, Parishes and Institutions of the Church be requested to suspend all action relating to "Domestic Partnerships" until the term has been defined by General Convention and they have given due consideration to whatever guidance on the subject the General Convention may see fit to offer to the Church at large.

Vote taken.

The Secretary read the results of the vote on the substitute for Resolution C024.

Yes - 88 No - 97

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

Bishop McKelvey moved to call the question on the original motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

Vote taken.

The Secretary read the results of the vote on the original motion.

Yes - 93 No - 90

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #57)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 18.

Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention requests that the Church's Medical Trust offer coverage to domestic partners in its health insurance plans.