When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth herein:
BASIC LIVING EXPENSES
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.
DEPENDENTS
A child or stepchild of either domestic partner.
DOMESTIC PARTNER
A person who meets the requirements set forth in Section 9.1.1 (definition of "domestic partnership") of this by-law and registers pursuant to Section 9.1.2 of this by-law.
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
Two persons who meet all of the following requirements and who register their domestic partnership in accordance with Section 9.1.2:
A. 
They have made a commitment of mutual support and caring for each other;
B. 
They reside together and intend to do so indefinitely;
C. 
They share basic living expenses;
D. 
They are at least 18 years of age;
E. 
They are competent to enter into a contract;
F. 
They are each other's sole domestic partner; and
G. 
They are not married to anyone or related to each other by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A. 
Statement of domestic partnership.
(1) 
Domestic partners who meet the requirements set forth in Section 9.1.1 (definition of "domestic partnership") of this by-law may make an official record of their domestic partnership by completing, signing and submitting to the Town Clerk a statement of domestic partnership. Persons submitting a statement of domestic partnership must declare under penalty of perjury that they meet the requirements set forth in Section 9.1.1 (definition of "domestic partnership") of this by-law.
(2) 
The domestic partnership statement shall be on a form prescribed by the Town Clerk, which form shall include, but shall not be limited to, the names of the domestic partners and the date on which they became each other's domestic partners.
(3) 
There is no requirement for registering dependents.
B. 
Amendment or termination of a domestic partnership. Domestic partners shall notify the Town Clerk of the termination of their domestic partnership. Either member of a domestic partnership may terminate the domestic partnership by filing a termination statement with the Town Clerk. Termination of a domestic partnership shall become effective 90 days after the termination statement is filed with the Town Clerk; provided, however, that a domestic partnership shall terminate immediately upon the death of one of the partners. Any person filing a termination statement must declare under the pains and penalties of perjury that the domestic partnership is thereby terminated and that the other domestic partner has been notified of such termination either personally or by mailing a copy of the termination statement to the other domestic partner's last and usual address by certified mail.
C. 
New statements of domestic partnership. No person may file a statement of domestic partnership until any previous domestic partnership of which they were a member has been effectively terminated.
A. 
Records. The Town Clerk shall maintain records of the registration, amendment and termination of domestic partnerships as permanent records. The Town Clerk shall provide appropriate forms for a statement of domestic partnership, for the registration of the statement and for the amendment and termination of a domestic partnership.
B. 
Fees for statements. The Town Clerk shall charge a fee for filing a domestic partnership equal to the fee charged to file a marriage license. Payment of the filing fee shall entitle the person filing the statement on behalf of the domestic partnership to receive one copy of the statement certified by the Town Clerk. The fee for additional certified copies of the statement, or for copies of amendment or termination statements, shall be the same fee charged for additional certified copies of a marriage license.
All rights, privileges and benefits shall be extended to domestic partnerships registered pursuant to similar laws enacted in other jurisdictions.
No person who seeks the benefit of this by-law, registers pursuant to its provisions, or assists another person in obtaining the benefits of this by-law shall be discriminated against in any way for doing so.
The provisions of this by-law are severable. If any of its provisions are held invalid by the Attorney General, a court of competent jurisdiction or other reviewing authority, all other provisions shall continue in full force and effect.