May 30, 2008  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley last week signed into law two bills that grant gays hospital visitation rights and tax breaks, despite the objections of some religious leaders. The laws go into effect July 1.

The Health Care Facility Visitation & Medical Decisions law grants gay Marylanders the right to visit a partner in the hospital and make certain medical decisions for them.

Another law, which adds domestic partners to a list of blood and legal relatives that are exempted from recordation and transfer taxes, also passed.

O’Malley recognized the health care law in a statement announcing his approval of several health care bills.

“With today’s bills,” he said, “we are helping to secure the long-term fiscal health of the Prince George’s County Hospital Center, providing prescription drug coverage to thousands of Maryland seniors, and giving domestic partners equal rights by allowing them to make health care facility visitation and medical decisions.”