(ANSA) - Rome, March 18 - The Democratic Party (PD) appears
to be moving towards same-sex couple adoption but only for a
biological child from one partner in the couple, a party Senator
said Wednesday.
The opening, dubbed "stepchild adoption," is contained in
the text of a document on civil unions presented to the
parliamentary justice commission by PD Senator Monica Cirinna.
Her draft law also introduces cohabitation contracts that
would govern the rules of unmarried heterosexuals living
together.
"This concerns the extension of parental responsibility to
the child of the partner, envisaged in article 44 of the law on
adoptions where after the word 'spouse' are inserted the words
'or by civil union between people of the same sex," said
Cirinna.
The Senator said she hopes the discussion on civil unions
will start next week so that it can reach the Lower House within
a reasonable time frame.
Cirinna's bill also calls for same sex-civil unions to be
registered by municipalities and institutes a series of
juridical rights such as inheritance protection.
PD bill envisages same-sex stepchild adoption
Proposal seen as opening by party toward gay adoption