Overview

This bill amends the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Bill to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples in England and Wales. It allows the Secretary of State to make regulations to implement this change by December 31st, 2019, addressing related issues like parenthood, pensions, and religious freedoms.

Description

This bill introduces a new clause to the existing legislation, extending the eligibility for civil partnerships to heterosexual couples. The Secretary of State is empowered to:

• Amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to allow heterosexual couples to form civil partnerships.
• Issue regulations addressing consequential matters arising from this extension, including:
• Parenthood and parental responsibility.
• Impact on gender recognition certificates.
• Financial implications (pensions and social security).
• Legal treatment of similar relationships formed overseas.
• Provisions for converting marriages to civil partnerships and vice versa.
• Safeguarding religious freedoms.
• Amend, repeal, or revoke existing primary legislation as needed.

The bill also removes Clause 2 and amends Clause 5 and the title of the original bill to reflect these changes.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. The cost will likely depend on the regulations made by the Secretary of State, which could affect government expenditure on social security, pensions, and administrative costs.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Heterosexual couples: They will now have the option to enter into civil partnerships.
• Government agencies: They will need to adapt existing legislation and administrative procedures to accommodate the changes.
• Religious organizations: The bill aims to protect their ability to act according to their beliefs, but their practices may still require adjustment.
• Legal professionals: They will need to adapt their practices to the new legal framework.

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