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2019 SESSION

19103264D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 275
Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 4, 2019
Reaffirming that all persons residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia are afforded equal protection under the law.
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Patron-- Chase
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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
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WHEREAS, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that no state can “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”; and

WHEREAS, Article VI of the United States Constitution establishes the United States Constitution as the supreme law of the land; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the Fourteenth Amendment, equal protection for women can be found in a plethora of federal as well as state laws, including Title IX provisions, contract award guidelines, grants, scholarships, and privacy protections; and

WHEREAS, significant cultural and legal advances have been made since 1972 when the ratification process of the Equal Rights Amendment began, and these advances have contributed to parity for women and men in the workplace, including fair pay and employment security; and

WHEREAS, the guarantees and safeguards provided for under current equal protection laws could be jeopardized if the Equal Rights Amendment is passed; and

WHEREAS, the viability of the Equal Rights Amendment has been called into question because both the time limit for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment has expired and five states have subsequently rescinded their approval; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a place that respects and values the differences of individuals and strives to ensure equality for both women and men; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly reaffirm that all persons residing in the Commonwealth are afforded equal protection under the law; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.