Senate approves rights for unmarried couples

ANNAPOLIS (AP) - With gay marriage a no-go this year, Maryland senators voted Tuesday to allow unmarried couples more rights to make medical decisions for each other.

The Senate voted 30-17 to allow domestic partners, who could be gay or straight, to make medical or funeral decisions for each other if they meet certain criteria to show they are a committed couple.

Unwed couples would have to show "mutual interdependence" such as joint checking accounts or common property ownership before qualifying as domestic partners eligible for the decision-making powers.

The bill comes amid complaints from unwed couples that...