Allegheny County plans same-sex partner benefits

Employees of Allegheny County in Western Pennsylvania will soon be able to extend their health and dental benefits to a gay or lesbian partner.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has signed an executive order allowing county workers to enroll an eligible same-sex domestic partner in benefits starting Monday for coverage beginning April 1.

Officials say the new policy makes the county the 187th municipality in the nation to extend health benefits to same-sex domestic partners.

The change was recommended by the county Human Relations Commission two years ago. Pittsburgh already gives benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees, as do Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

- AP