Two Democratic state legislators say they will try to stop public universities in Kentucky from providing health care benefits to unmarried, live-in partners of employees.

The effort by Representatives Ancel Smith and Richard Henderson is drawing criticism from within the party.

Louisville Democratic Representative Tom Burch says the move is something he would have expected from Republicans, not from Smith and Henderson.

But 16 other Democratic lawmakers have signed onto the bill, which Smith and Henderson pre-filed Dec. 13.

Governor Steve Beshear has said he would veto any such legislation.