[JURIST] The New Jersey Legislature [official website] has passed two bills that, if enacted into law, will increase the legal rights of same-sex couples [JURIST news archive]. In one bill, same-sex couples will have the same rights as married couples regarding inheritance and funeral arrangements; in the second, gay couples will have access to health benefits if one partner works in the public sector. The bills received broad support in the legislature and Governor Richard Codey [official website] is expected to sign the bills into law. Reuters has more.