1. Overview

   This policy provides for the participation of unmarried same or opposite sex domestic partners and children of domestic partners in Ohio university benefits.

   Same sex couples legally married in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, a US territory, or a foreign country that recognizes their marriage are considered married for the purposes of all university policies and benefits, and are considered spouses, not domestic partners.

2. Definitions

   For the purposes of this policy, "domestic partners" are two individuals of the same or opposite sex who:

   1. Share a regular and permanent residence; and

   2. Have a committed personal relationship for at least six months; and

   3. Can demonstrate financial interdependence; and

   4. Are not related by blood, not legally married, nor in a domestic partnership with anyone else.

      For the purposes of this policy, the "domestic partner's immediate family" is defined by policies 40.029 and 40.030; see also part (B)(2) of policy 40.016.

3. Affected policies

   The following policies are extended as necessary in order to provide for domestic partnerships as described in this policy:

   1. Policy 19.058.

   2. Policy 24.030.

   3. Policy 40.016.

   4. Policy 40.029.

   5. Policy 40.054.

   6. Policy 40.075.

   7. Policy 40.107.

   8. Policy 41.010.

   9. Policy 41.130.

   10. Policy 55.003.

4. Benefits

   The benefits under this policy may vary according to the employment status of the employee, and may also involve tax implications. Medical and dental benefits for a domestic partner are not eligible for the pre-tax deduction from the employee's wages. The internal revenue service (IRS) has ruled that domestic partners cannot be considered a spouse for tax purposes. Thus, employers are obligated to report and withhold taxes on the fair market value of the domestic partner coverage. Fair market value of the domestic partner coverage is usually defined as the amount the employer contributes to a health plan to cover the domestic partner over and above the amount contributed for a single individual.

   UHR will maintain information online, linked through https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/, that indicates the fair market value under the various common circumstances, and that provides contact information for confirming the fair market value in any particular circumstance.

   Flexible spending accounts are governed by IRS rules. According to those rules, an employee cannot be reimbursed through a flexible spending account for a domestic partner's health care expenses nor for the health care expenses of any children who are not children of the employee.

   1. Domestic partner and dependents

      The domestic partner is eligible for support through the dual career network.

      The following benefits are available to the domestic partner and his or her children, whether they are the employee's children, or not, on the same basis as the benefits would be available to the employee's spouse or children:

      1. Medical, dental, vision, dependent life insurance, and COBRA

      2. The educational benefit program

      3. Membership in and use of campus facilities

      4. Employee assistance program

   2. Leave

      The employee may take leave based on the needs of the domestic partner and the domestic partner's immediate family (as defined above), in addition to being able to take leave based on the needs of the employee's immediate family (as defined in the relevant policies, linked above) under the following categories:

      1. Sick and bereavement leave

      2. Family and medical leave

5. Process

   In order for the domestic partner or children of domestic partners to qualify for coverage, or for the employee to take leave based on the needs of the domestic partner or the domestic partner's immediate family, the following forms need to be completed, and the required documentation sent to university human resources:

   1.  "Affidavit of Domestic Partnership," along with proof required of shared financial obligations.

   2.  "Domestic Partner Enrollment Form."

   To remove the domestic partner or children of domestic partners from benefits, complete the following form and return it to university human resources within thirty (30) days of termination of the domestic partnership: "Statement of Termination of Domestic Partnership ."

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Faculty Senate

2. Administrative Senate

3. Deans

4. Chief Financial and Administrative Officers

5. Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion

6. Executive Director of the Office for Institutional Equity

7. Academic Chairs and Directors

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   The following forms are specific to this policy:

   1. The Domestic Partner Enrollment Form is online at  https://www.ohio.edu/hr/resources/forms

   2. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership is online at  https://www.ohio.edu/hr/resources/forms

   3. The Statement of Termination of Domestic Partnership is online at  https://www.ohio.edu/hr/resources/forms

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 03.016, "Foundation Expenditures."

   2. Policy 19.058, "Conflict of Interest in Sponsored Programs."

   3. Policy 24.030, "Membership and Use Eligibility for Campus Recreation Facilities."

   4. Policy 40.016, "Educational Benefits for Employee Spouses and Children."

   5. Policy 40.029, "Sick and Bereavement Leave for Faculty and Administrative Appointees."

   6. Policy 40.054, "Family and Medical Leave."

   7. Policy 40.075, "Adoption Benefits."

   8. Policy 40.107, "Nepotism."

   9. Policy 41.010, "Benefits for Administrative Presidential Appointees."

   10. Policy 41.121, "Reimbursement for Official Travel and Entertainment."

   11. Policy 41.130, "Employee Assistance Program."

   12. Policy 55.003, "Purchasing Authority: Vendor Selection, Personal Purchases, Land and Building Acquisition, Conflict-of-Interest."

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site.

   Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. May 10, 2022 (Non-substantive update. Rescinded policy 41.009 removed from section C). 

   2. September 17, 2021 (Non-substantive updates. Classified Senate removed as a Reviewer and References updated due to the establishment of the AFSCME 3200 Contract). 

   3. October 10, 2014

   4. May 4, 2009 (accelerated review)

   5. September 9, 2008