(ANSA) - Rome, March 26 - The Senate's justice committee on Thursday approved a bill on civil unions, which will now go through both houses of parliament.

The measure, drafted by Democratic Party (PD) Senator Monica Cirinnà, recognizes key rights for heterosexual and same-sex couples such as 'stepchild adoption', or the adoption of the biological child of one of the two partners in a civil union.

The bill also calls for same sex-civil unions to be registered by municipalities and institutes a series of juridical rights and duties including inheritance protection, health assistance and a reversibility clause for pensions.

