Miami-Dade County Approves Domestic-Partner Benefits

Unmarried couples in Miami-Dade County now have domestic-partner benefits. The county commission approved Tuesday to give unmarried, non-related couples - gay or straight - who are at least 18 and live together similar benefits as spouses.

Those benefits include having the same visitation rights in healthcare facilities, jails and juvenile detention centers. Couples will also be able to visit a partner's children and parents. Plus, county workers will be able to buy health insurance for their domestic partner and that partner's children.

Couples should register with the county's Consumer Services Department. An estimated 900 couples will file this year. Broward and Palm Beach counties already have similar policies in place.