(Sacramento, California) Two key domestic partner bills, will have their first committee hearing in the California legislature on Tuesday.

The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, would provide registered domestic partners and their families nearly all the rights and responsibilities currently available only to married couples under state law, including child custody and child support obligations, community property, mutual responsibility for debt, and the right to make funeral arrangements.

The second bill would prohibit state agencies from contracting with businesses that discriminate in the benefits offered between employees with spouses and employees with registered domestic partners.

Both pieces of legislation were co-authored by a number of legislators, including all members of the Legislative LGBT Caucus.

Witnesses at the hearing will include Lydia Ramos, who had to battle for custody of her youngest daughter following the death of her life partner last year.

Also present will be Sharon Smith, the plaintiff in the dog-mauling trial in San Francisco in 2001 after the death of her partner, Diane Whipple, as well as Keith Bradkowski, who experienced numerous legal problems after his domestic partner was killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.