Ministry of Social Policy Supports Draft Law on Civil Partnerships in Ukraine! Another decisive step towards recognizing the diversity of family forms. Draft law 9103 will allow couples who cannot or do not want to get married to enter into a registered partnership and receive certain rights and guarantees. The Ministry of Social Policy proposes some improvements to the bill but generally recognizes its relevance and necessity.

Here are some of the Ministry’s leading suggestions:

• Harmonize the new law with the law on state support for families with children so that registered partners are entitled to state support for childbirth, foster care, etc.
• Provide for circumstances in which one of the partners may be absent from registration, for example, due to illness, residence abroad, or other valid reasons.
• Clarify the valid reasons why the parties to the partnership may not register at the civil registry office, but at their place of residence, at the home of in-patient medical care, or elsewhere.
• Consider the financial impact of the new law on the budget and the Pension Fund, as the bill provides the right to a survivor’s pension for registered partners.

We are pleased that the Ministry of Social Policy has a positive attitude toward introducing civil partnerships in Ukraine. We expect no less readiness from other ministries and deputies!