(1) The Commission on Human Relations is hereby vested with the authority to administer and enforce this Chapter and in connection therewith may promulgate and issue regulations.

(2) Life Partnerships.

(a) Definition. For purposes of this Chapter, "Life Partnership" shall mean a long-term committed relationship between two unmarried individuals of the same gender who:

(i) are at least 18 years old and competent to contract;

(ii) are not related to the other Life Partner by blood in any way which would prohibit marriage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;

(iii) are the sole Life Partner of the other person;

(iv) have not been a member of a different Life Partnership for the past twelve months (unless the prior Life Partnership ended as a result of the death of the other Life Partner);

(v) agree to share the common necessities of life and to be responsible for each other’s common welfare;

(vi) share at least one residence with the other Life Partner; and

(vii) agree under penalty of law to notify the Commission of any change in the status of the Life Partnership.

(b) Verification. No Life Partnership shall be recognized as such under this Chapter unless the members of the Life Partnership have verified the Life Partnership by: (i) filing with the Commission a Verification Statement, in the form and manner required by the Commission, which states, on penalty of perjury, that the Life Partnership meets all the provisions of § 9-1106(2)(a); and (ii) filing with the Commission proof that the Life Partners have been interdependent for a least six (6) months prior to the date the Verification Statement is filed, such proof to include at least three of the following:

(.1) common ownership of real property or a common leasehold interest in property;

(.2) common ownership of a motor vehicle;

(.3) driver’s licenses listing a common address;
(.4) proof of joint bank accounts or credit accounts;

(.5) proof of designation as a beneficiary for life insurance or retirement benefits, or beneficiary designation under a partner’s will;

(.6) assignment of a durable power of attorney or health care power of attorney.

(c) Termination. Either Life Partner may terminate the Life Partnership by filing a sworn Termination Statement with the Commission, in the form and manner required by the Commission, stating that the Life Partnership is to be terminated. The termination shall become effective sixty (60) days from the date the Termination Statement is filed, if it is signed by both Life Partners. If it is not signed by both Life Partners, the Termination Statement shall become effective sixty (60) days from the date proof is filed with the Commission that a copy of the Termination Statement was served, either personally or by certified or registered mail, on the other Life Partner.