PART 1: PURPOSE

To ensure equal employment and educational opportunities to all employees at New Mexico State University; to provide HR benefits to Qualified Domestic Partners.

PART 2. DEFINITIONS

1. Qualified Domestic Partner: A Qualified Domestic Partner is each member of qualified domestic partnership, defined as two individuals who live together in an exclusive relationship of indefinite duration, who have satisfied the requirements reflected in the “Affidavit of Domestic Partnership”, available on the NMSU Benefit Services website.

PART 3: RULE STATEMENTS

1. All Qualified Domestic Partners, and their eligible dependents, shall be provided the same services and benefits as those provided to legally recognized spouses and their dependents, unless expressly prohibited by law. Eligible dependents for benefit purposes are defined on the NMSU Benefit Services website based on benefit type.
2. All benefit policies that affect employees, legally recognized spouses and their families shall also apply to employees, domestic partners and their families, such as insurances and tuition benefits.
3. The value of tuition and insurance benefits provided to the domestic partner is considered taxable income to the employee by the Internal Revenue Service and is subject to social security, federal, and state income tax withholding.

PART 4: RELATED PROCEDURES AND FORMS

In accordance with RPM 1.10 and ARP 1.10, the policy administrator may issue supplemental procedural guidelines and/or forms.  Such procedures shall not conflict with this Rule, and are intended to facilitate the implementation, application, and enforcement of this Rule. Such procedures and forms shall be posted on the NMSU Benefits website.