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2015 SESSION

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15100117D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 492 Offered January 14, 2015 Prefiled August 13, 2014 Proposing an amendment to replace Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage. ---------- Patrons-- Krupicka, Hope, Lopez, Murphy, Sickles and Simon ---------- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections ----------

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, a majority of the members elected to each house agreeing, That the following amendment to the Constitution of Virginia be, and the same hereby is, proposed and referred to the General Assembly at its first regular session held after the next general election of members of the House of Delegates for its concurrence in conformity with the provisions of Section 1 of Article XII of the Constitution of Virginia, namely:

Amend Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:

ARTICLE I BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 15-A. Marriage.

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.

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.

The freedom to choose to marry another person resides with the individual and cannot be infringed upon by the Commonwealth, except on the basis of age, kinship, or marital status, as prescribed by law. This Commonwealth shall recognize any marriage between two persons performed in any other state or jurisdiction that would be lawful in this Commonwealth. Any minister or civil celebrant authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage in this Commonwealth does not infringe upon the rights guaranteed by this Constitution if that individual refuses to celebrate the rites of marriage for any persons.