When used in this Chapter, and for purposes of providing only those rights specified in this Chapter:
a. Domestic partnership shall mean two (2) persons who meet the following criteria and affirm that:
1. They share basic living expenses;
2. They assume responsibility for the welfare of their partner and any dependents registered pursuant to subsection 12-9A.2;
3. They are at least eighteen (18) years of age;
4. They are competent to enter into a contract;
5. They declare that they are each other's sole domestic partner;
6. They are not married to anyone nor related to each other by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
7. They shall notify the City Clerk of any change in the status of their domestic partnership; and
b. Dependent shall mean a person registered pursuant to subsection 12-9A.2, who has not registered as a domestic partner and who receives significant financial or significant in-kind assistance toward her or his caretaking or costs of food, shelter, utilities, and essential household goods from the domestic partnership.
c. Basic living expenses shall mean the cost of food, shelter, utilities and essential household goods. The individuals need not contribute equally to the cost of these expenses. Labor or services in kind shall be recognized as contributions to basic living expenses.
d. Assume Responsibility for the Welfare of shall mean assume an obligation to provide, if necessary, for a person's basic living expenses and to assume joint responsibility for any other expenses of that person which arise out of a program or benefit for which that person qualified because of a statement filed pursuant to this section, subject to the limitations contained in subsection 12-9A.5 of this section.
(Ord. 1993 c. 12 § 1)