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2017 SESSION

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17100143D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 538 Offered January 11, 2017 Prefiled July 18, 2016 Proposing the repeal of Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage. ----------
Patrons-- Sickles, Levine, Bell, John J., Boysko, Bulova, Carr, Filler-Corn, Heretick, Herring, Hester, Hope, Keam, Kory, Krizek, Lopez, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Simon, Sullivan and Watts; Senators: Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Howell, Locke, Marsden, McPike, Surovell and Wexton
---------- 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:

Repeal 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.