Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus proposed rules for domestic registry of unmarried couples today, in a move that would tweak the way city benefits are governed, and would allow any two unrelated city residents to make a "declaration of mutual commitment" indicating that they "contribute mutually to each other's maintenance and support."

The registry would only be binding for the city to provide benefits but would not obligate other employers.

Mr. Kraus said similar legislation exists in cities such as Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Urbana, Ill, and the states of Maine and California, among other jurisdictions. Pittsburgh's proposal is based largely on the Urbana model.

"It makes us a much more desirable location for young, bright, cutting-edge people who want to come in and live in progressive areas," Mr. Kraus said. "It really is about being a good place to attract progressive employees and employers, and grow."

The legislation would allow any two city residents -- unmarried people of the same or opposite sex, cohabitating seniors or friends, to name a few -- to report to the city Personnel Department and present documents indicating "mutual responsibility." People who are related closely enough that they can't marry under state law would be ineligible.

Couples would have to show three such documents, which can include loan papers, utility bills, insurance policies, wills, powers of attorney, contracts, motor vehicle titles, bank or credit account statements, or evidence of mutual child care responsibility.

They then would be certified as domestic registrants, until one party either presented an affidavit terminating the relationship or died.

Registrants who are city employees would be entitled to joint health, dental and vision insurance and other benefits. Domestic partners of city employees can already be insured together on city policies, but the legislation would better define eligibility and modestly extend joint benefits to include sick leave, bereavement leave and family leave.

The proposed rules affecting city employees are "really about fiscal responsibility" because they improve the city's ability to ensure that only true partners share benefits. "This gives us a good, solid criteria for paying these benefits," Mr. Kraus said.

Other employers would not be bound to respect city-sanctioned domestic registrations, but would be welcome to use the certifications in granting things like insurance benefits and hospital visitation rights.

"The definition of family is a very broad definition," Mr. Kraus said. "This assists people in legitimizing their relationships and families."

Mr. Kraus said he is introducing the bill today, and did not yet know whether a public hearing will be held. If not, a tentative vote could occur June 11.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.