Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/207831
Sarasota News Leader November 8, 2013 Page 28 I think [the comments are] a disservice to the over that federal law. "I think Commissioner public." Robinson's right," he added. "I would never tell anyone not to do the When Shelin stood at the podium, he told the documents, if they're registered," Meeks commissioners, "I'm really grateful that we responded. "Even with both, I still think there find ourselves at this point." are some gaps with protection." Although he joined Meeks in asking for sevAfter Hines thanked her, Meeks pointed eral changes, he said, "It's all about love. out that the only way for domestic partners Partners want to be together because they to ensure they will have the right to make love one another. … I hope you will recoghealthcare decisions for each other is "for nize the joy such relationships bring to the somebody — this board — to tell hospitals individuals involved, their families, friends, they have to allow that." neighbors and the county at large." CHILDREN AND EDUCATION Meeks also asked the board to include in the ordinance a provision allowing participation in partners' children's education. That measure would grant the same rights to domestic partners that step-parents enjoy, she noted, and it would "in no way [interfere] with the legal priority of the biological parents." LITTLE DEBATE After the public comments concluded — with only one speaker asking the board not to approve the registry — the commissioners took care of the ordinance tweaks in short order. Hines did query DeMarsh about language in one section of the ordinance referring to "long-time committed domestic Robinson responded, "In the State of Florida, partnerships." the only way that you can have access to chil"Just to be clear, to register, you could date dren is through being a parent, which is legal for a day and go in and sign up the next day?" or biological or by court order." Hines asked. Meeks was referring only to very specific sitDeMarsh indicated he hoped those registering uations, she said, such as allowing a domestic would be people who had been in relationpartner to serve as a chaperone for a school ships for some time. trip involving the child of the partner, or participating in parent-teacher conferences After the vote, Mason — who had champiregarding a child. oned the initiative at the board dais — offered Such provisions are provided for under fed- words of gratitude to her colleagues and staff, as well as to the audience members who were eral law, Meeks added. present for the agenda item, most of them However, when Commissioner Joe Barbetta wearing red shirts to show their support. pulled up on his computer the law to which Meeks was referring — the Family Mason also said, "I want to take this opporEducational Rights Privacy Act, or FERPA tunity to thank Ken Shelin for his persistence — he pointed out that state law has primacy and consistence with this issue." %