Jul 2, 2014 By David Singer 1 min read

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has given county employees in same-sex domestic partnerships another year to marry to acquire county benefits. “The July 31, 2014 date that was originally set is too aggressive. Working through the Human Resources Department, the eleven employees currently receiving same sex partner benefits will have until June 30, 2015 to make the personal decision regarding whether to marry and formalize their relationship. All new county employees, however, will be required to follow the same policy regarding how and when benefits are offered to partners and families,” Fitzgerald said in a statement.

This reverses a statement from the county from the week of June 23 that said same-sex partners had to prove they were married by July 31.

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in May.