Domestic partners of same-sex federal employees may soon be able to access partner rights.

Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin, who made history in November 2012 after becoming the first openly gay person in the US Senate, has teamed up with Maine senator Susan Collins to re-introduce the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2013 (DPBO).

Under DPBO, the same-sex domestic partner of a federal employee would be eligible for ‘federal retirement, life insurance, health, workers’ compensation and Family and Medical Leave benefits,’ all the same benefits currently afforded to married employees.

Because the legislation specifies domestic partners, same-sex partners of federal employees will have access to benefits even if same-sex marriage is not legal in their state of residence.

Baldwin, who first introduced DPBO in 1997, said in a statement: ‘This bill helps provide federal employees and their domestic partners equal access and opportunity to the benefits that businesses across our country are already providing.

‘We’ve made great progress for committed, same-sex couples in America but we still have work to do to move freedom and fairness forward.’

Earlier this year, the US Supreme Court ruled the federal government’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), unconstitutional. California’s ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, was also struck down in the same ruling.

‘It’s time for the federal government to lead as an equal opportunity employer and I’m proud to work across the aisle with Senator Collins to advance that leadership,’ she added.

‘DPBO is about the basic concept of fairness in the workplace,’ said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Legislative Director Allison Herwitt.

‘Corporate America has led the charge in offering equal pay for equal work, and the US Supreme Court sent a message this summer that the federal government should follow their lead. Equal workplace policies, like those DPBO would enact, will help attract and retain the best and brightest talent, which is exactly what our federal workforce needs.’

Co-sponsor Collins said: ‘This change is both fair policy and good business practice. The federal government must compete with the private sector when it comes to attracting the most qualified, skilled, and dedicated employees.’

According to the Office of Personnel Management, almost 60% of Fortune 500 companies, America’s highest-grossing companies, already offer benefits to the same-sex partners of employees.