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2005 SESSION
HJ 586 Constitutional amendment; marriage may exist only between a man and woman (first reference).
Introduced by: John A. Cosgrove | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles | history
SUMMARY AS PASSED:
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Provides that "only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions." The proposed amendment also prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing a legal status "for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage." Further, the proposed amendment prohibits the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." This resolution incorporates HJRs 584 and 615. The amendment proposed in this resolution is identical to that proposed in SJR 337 as passed.
SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Provides that marriage "shall consist exclusively of the union of one man and one woman" and prohibits the Commonwealth or any political subdivision from creating or recognizing any legal status "to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." This resolution incorporates HJRs 584 and 615.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Provides that marriage "is the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife" and that "no other combination of persons may be licensed to marry." The proposed amendment prohibits the creation, recognition, or enforcement of imitations of marriage.