A federal judge is blocking Arizona from implementing a state law that eliminates domestic partner benefits for gay and lesbian state employees.
U.S. District Judge John Sedwick on Friday issued a preliminary injunction that requires the state to still make family health insurance available to gay and lesbian state employees who have established relationships that meet standards set under state administration rules.
The judge also dismissed part of a lawsuit challenging the prohibition but left another part intact, allowing the suit to continue.
The Legislature included the prohibition in a budget law enacted last September.