Pembroke Pines – The City of Pembroke Pines is officially extending employee benefits to qualifying domestic partners, as they are extended to spouses of married employees. The Pembroke Pines Domestic Partner Act passed on its second and final reading with a 4 to 1 vote June 18.
The Commission began discussing domestic partnership benefits for City employees at a workshop Jan. 27. The item was then introduced April 7 by Commissioner Iris Siple at a City Commission meeting. It made its way onto the agenda for the City Commission meeting and passed its first reading May 21.
“It means that we are recognizing the importance of equitable treatment and their importance to the city,” Siple said. “It brings our city up to date with what’s happening around the country.”
There were a number of residents present at the second reading, along with elected officials like State Rep. Joe Gibbons, State Senator Eleanor Sobel and Broward County Clerk of Courts Howard Forman.
The ordinance will take effect starting Oct. 1, 2014.
