ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska State Personnel Board has voted to include the same-sex partners of state employees in the definition of “immediate family” for purposes of leave.

The board Thursday changed rules that would allow state employees to take leave due to a serious health condition of a same-sex partner and include same-sex partners in the definition of “immediate family” for that purpose.

To be eligible, rules state that the same-sex partners must provide proof they and their partners meet five criteria, including such things as a mortgage or rental agreement.

Same-sex marriage is barred under Alaska’s constitution. But the Alaska Supreme Court has found it is unconstitutional to offer valuable benefits to the spouses of public employees but not to same-sex domestic partners.

The rules go into effect Oct. 19.

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