Project 515, Legislative Supporters Urge Passage of Final Wishes and Wrongful Death Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a Capitol news conference today, Project 515 and legislative supporters urged their colleagues to finish work this session on the Final Wishes/Wrongful Death bill.

The legislation would allow same-sex couples an equal opportunity to honor the final wishes of their partners and seek justice following a wrongful death. Authored by Representative Erin Murphy and Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon, the bill is ready for debate and final passage by the Minnesota House of Representatives. In 2009, the bill passed through all House committees, as well as the full Senate, but legislators adjourned without final House action.

"Last year, we promised Minnesota families we would correct the discrimination that exists during the most difficult time in their lives – the loss of a loved one," Murphy said. "Now it's time to pass this legislation and sign it into law. The Final Wishes/Wrongful Death bill is too important for families for us to leave St. Paul without action."

Murphy and other legislators were joined by Randy Miranda, who shared his story on the third anniversary of his partner's death.

Miranda's relationship with his committed partner Tom was like many others – camping trips, vacations to Tom's family farm in Illinois and helping raise Miranda's two kids. But six years into their life together, Tom was diagnosed unexpectedly with esophageal cancer. During months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove Tom's esophagus, Miranda was by his side making life and death decisions and holding their family together. Tom died May 4, 2007.

"I was Tom's caregiver and rightfully so," Miranda said. "That's just what you do when you love someone."

On the morning of Tom's death, the Cremation Society notified Miranda he would need Tom's brother to release the remains and make funeral arrangements because Minnesota law didn't recognize their relationship. Despite having prepared the necessary legal documents, Miranda's power of attorney ended when Tom died.

"All of a sudden, you're an outsider," Miranda said. "For hours each and every day for five months, I was there as Tom's partner. Yet I'm not allowed to take on the final responsibility and carry out Tom's wishes. We need to turn that around so no other families have to face this painful reality."

Murphy said Miranda's family and hundreds of others across the state that face discrimination from state laws empower her to advocate for this critical bill.

"No one should have to endure the pain and difficulty caused by as many as 515 Minnesota laws that treat same-sex couples and their loved ones differently," Murphy said. "I hope my colleagues and the Governor join me in choosing equality and fairness for Minnesota families."

Prettner Solon, the legislation's lead author in the Senate, agreed.

"Eight out of 10 Minnesotans agree that government should not treat people differently because of their sexual orientation," she said. "Committed same-sex couples and their families are our friends, family members, colleagues and members of our faith communities. They deserve the same rights and responsibilities we all expect but only some of us actually receive."

The Final Wishes/Wrongful Death bill is one of several that Project 515 and legislators are pursuing this session. The Basic Protections Initiative — a collection of bills that reflect Wisconsin's laws — would ensure equal rights and responsibilities for personal asset distribution, access to health records, rights to employment wages and treatment in court for same-sex committed couples. Several of the bills have received initial hearings.

Project 515 is a Minnesota non-profit organization working to ensure that same-sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law. There are at least 515 current state laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and their families. For more information, visit www.project515.org.

SOURCE Project 515