Minn. bills would give same-sex couples death rights

Two bills up for hearings on Wednesday would give same-sex partners and other unmarried couples more rights when one partner dies.

The House Civil Justice Committee will hear the proposals, both from Democrats.

The bill from Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis would give the surviving partner the right to access health records and consent to autopsies.

Another proposal from Rep. Steve Simon of St. Louis Park would let surviving partners have witness privileges and crime victim rights in wrongful death cases.

Currently these rights go only to a person's surviving spouse or immediate family.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)