Under the new laws, California will create a statewide registry for domestic partners, defined as same-sex couples and unmarried couples age 62 or older, when marriage may in certain cases reduce limited retirement benefits. Domestic partners will be able to get hospital visitation rights, as family members do now, and those who are state employees will be eligible to receive health insurance benefits for their partners. Many cities in California, including Los Angeles, already provide health benefits for domestic partners under local laws. This state statute will make it easier for local governments to offer such benefits.