Domestic Partner Benefits Not Legally Required

While the NJ Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits discrimination because of sexual orientation, the law expressly does not interfere with the terms of an employee benefits plan. Since no New Jersey or federal law requires health insurance contracts to provide benefits to domestic partners, employers are free choose whether to offer such benefits.  The number of firms that offer domestic partner health insurance benefits grew by 16% in 2002, according to a report issued by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.