US: Florida city requires contractors to offer family benefits to same-sex couples

The city of West Palm Beach in the US state of Florida will now require contractors who do business with the city amounting to $50,000 (£30,150) or more to offer equal family benefits to employees, including those in same-sex relationships.

The city commission voted in a unanimous 5-0 vote on Monday to approve the policy.

The policy only applies to businesses with five or more employees.

Some companies are excluded from the policy, including companies that provide no benefits to employees’ spouses or dependents and companies engaged in emergency contracts.

In early August, Florida asked for no further rulings to be made on its same-sex marriage ban until the US Supreme Court makes a broader decision.

Before that request, four Florida counties struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

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