Civil Union: The State of Rhode Island Employee Health Plan extends health benefits to a civil union spouse and children of a civil union spouse. To qualify for coverage, employees must provide a copy of their civil union certificate, complete the Certification of Tax Dependent Status for a Civil Union Spouse Form and attach both to the Health Insurance Enrollment Form and submit to the Agency Personnel Office.

Domestic Partner: The State of Rhode Island extends health benefits (medical, dental, and vision insurance) to same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners of eligible employees. To qualify for coverage, employees must meet the requirements and provide the verification information listed on the Domestic Partner Affidavit. The Domestic Partner Affidavit and the Domestic Partner Dependent Declaration Form must be completed, signed, notarized, and returned to the Agency Personnel Office as well as the Health Insurance Enrollment Form.

Imputed Income for Civil Unions/Domestic Partners
Under federal law, the fair market value of the state’s contribution for health insurance coverage for a civil union spouse/domestic partner is considered imputed income to the employee, and must be reported as taxable income on the employee’s bi-weekly paycheck unless the domestic partner qualifies as a dependent of the employee under the IRS regulations for health plans. It is the employee’s responsibility to consult with the appropriate tax advisors to determine whether or not a civil union spouse/domestic partner qualifies as a dependent under the IRS regulations, and to determine all tax implications resulting from the decision to add a domestic partner.  Additional information is available in the Domestic Partner Frequently Asked Questions.