After Supreme Court action, immediate changes in Virginia

October 8, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Virginia News

In connection with Monday’s SCOTUS refusal to hear bans on same-sex marriage in Virginia and 29 other states, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe ordered state agencies Tuesday to immediately change their policies in order to accommodate same-sex couples. McAuliffe’s executive order determines that same-sex spouses of state employees will be eligible for health benefits within 60 days of marriage. Also possible rights to be implemented include the ability to adopt children, make medical decisions for the other, hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights and the eligibility to file joint tax returns. Also, the Virginia Department of Taxation announced Tuesday that same-sex marriages recognized for federal income tax reasons will be recognized for the same in Virginia. The Department of Human Resource Management sent out instructions on how state employees can add their spouses and dependents to health-benefits plans. The Governor called for a state agency progress report by November 15.