options: the recognition of unregistered cohabitation; the creation of a partnership registry; and the extension of marriage to same-sex couples. It left the decision over which model to implement to the Riigikogu and other "stakeholders". On July 1, 2010, a new family law was passed, defining marriage as between a man and a woman and declaring unions between members of the same sex "null and void". Prime Minister Andrus Ansip was quoted as saying, "I do not believe that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will soon accept same-sex marriage in the eyes of the law". On May 25, 2011, Chancellor of Justice Indrek Teder requested that the Ministry of Justice introduce a civil partnership law. He ruled that the non-recognition of same-sex relationships was contrary to the Constitution of Estonia. Thereafter, partnership recognition again became an active political discussion in Estonia. The Reform Party and the Social Democratic Party supported introducing a partnership law, against the opposition of the conservative Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. The Centre Party supported a discussion on the issue. The bill was drafted in August 2012 by the Ministry of Justice, now led by Minister Kristen Michal, and was under consultation until October 1, 2012. In March 2014, a parliamentary group began to examine the draft bill. The legislation, entitled the Registered Partnership Act (), was submitted to Parliament on April 17, 2014. On May 22, it was backed by the Rõivas I Government, and on June 19, 2014, Parliament rejected a motion to kill the bill at first reading in a 32–45 vote. The second reading took place on October 8, where a motion to hold a referendum on the bill was defeated in a 35–42 vote and another motion to kill it was defeated in a 33–41 vote. The bill passed its final vote on October 9 in a 40–38 vote. It was signed into law by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves the same day and took effect on January 1, 2016. Registered partnerships (, ) grant same-sex couples some, but not all, of the rights, benefits, obligations and responsibilities of marriage. Partners are required to support each other, are granted similar property rights to married spouses and have the right to adopt their partner's children (i.e. stepchild adoption). Partnerships performed in other countries are recognised as valid in Estonia. As of 2022, some implementing acts required for the law to enter into force