ALBANY, N.Y., March 1 – Small employer groups and individuals will be allowed to provide benefits to domestic partners in their health plans under legislation passed by the New York State Assembly and awaiting action in the Senate.

The measure, introduced by Assem-blyman Daniel J. ODonnell (D-New York), revises the definition of the term family and adds the term domestic partner to Section 3216 of the Insurance Law. It also requires the Superintendent of Insurance to promulgate regulations for the qualification of domestic partners under commercial health insurance policies issued to individuals.

The regulations are to include provisions to limit coverage to a domestic partner, provide coverage for children of domestic partners of the insured, and provide coverage for individuals who submit legal proofs of domestic partnership or similar relationships. They further should allow affidavits attesting to a domestic partnership to be submitted as proof of relationship, notification procedures for the termination of domestic partnerships, requirements for prior cohabitation and acceptance of documents which are commonly accepted from married persons as proof of residence and financial interdependence. Similar changes are to be made to health coverage issued by commercial insurers to groups and to individual group coverage issued by non-profit insurers and HMOs.

Senator Michael A.L Balboni (R/C- Nassau) has sponsored similar legislation in the New York State Senate.