SANTA FE—Gay and heterosexual couples could form domestic partnerships and enjoy the same rights and benefits as married couples under legislation approved by the New Mexico House Jan. 24.

The house approved the measure on a mostly party-line 33-31 vote. Two Republicans supported the bill and seven Democrats opposed it.

The bill goes to the New Mexico Senate, where a similar domestic partnership proposal stalled last year.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez (D-Belen) said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the senate would approve the proposal.

Under the proposal, domestic partners would have a right to obtain medical coverage through their partner’s health insurance plan or a right to visit a partner in a hospital.

Other benefits include the right to take family medical leave to care for a partner who is ill, the authority to make end-of-life decisions for a partner, property rights in a partner’s pension and inheritance rights.

Domestic partners also would have the same responsibilities as married couples in child custody and visitation issues and paying child support.