News release from Washoe County Library:
The 2009 Nevada Legislature passed a domestic partnership law that will take effect Oct. 1. In collaboration with Three Degrees Nevada, Sparks Library will present a workshop at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, with local experts. They will tell the story of the bill’s passage, explain how the law will work including responsibilities and rights of domestic partners, and describe the registration process.
The Secretary of State’s Office and public notaries will be on hand for couples who want to “pre-register.” Domestic partnership certificates will be prepared with an Oct. 1 effective date for those who pre-register.
The Sparks Library is at 1125 12th St.
The following speakers will present information and answer questions at the workshop:
Ross Miller
Nevada Secretary of State
Ross Miller was sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2007. He is the youngest Secretary of State in Nevada history and the youngest Secretary of State in the country. Secretary Miller’s office is charged with registering domestic partnerships and issuing certificates of registration. He will discuss the process and explain the procedure.
Lee Rowland
Northern Coordinator, ACLU of Nevada
Lee Rowland is an attorney, office director and lobbyist for the ACLU of Nevada. She worked closely with community advocates and Sen. David Parks to help pass SB 283, which instituted domestic partnership. She will talk about the road to passage of the bill and will provide an overview of how this bill will affect relationships under the law. The ACLU is the nation’s largest non-profit legal advocacy organization and has worked on expanding access to domestic partnerships, civil unions and marriage for all couples without discrimination.
Kimberly M. Surratt, Esq.
Surratt Law Practice, PC
Kimberly M. Surratt is an attorney practicing in the areas of family law (divorce, child custody, support, etc), family formation (surrogacy, adoption, guardianship, etc) and estate planning. She testified with Sen. David Parks at the 2009 Legislature to help pass SB 283, the domestic partnership bill. She will discuss her experiences at the legislature and explain how registration affects families under the law.
Karen D. Vibe, CRPS
Second Vice President, Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Karen D. Vibe will discuss the impact of domestic partnership on finances and investments. She will teach how to save and invest wisely and to be aware of the dangers and pitfalls. Vibe was voted Northern Nevada’s saleswoman of the year for 2009 by Professional Saleswomen of Nevada. She is also a three-year recipient of the Smith Barney Blue Chip Award.
