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2021 SESSION

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21101372D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 539 Offered January 13, 2021 Prefiled January 11, 2021 Proposing an amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; recognition of same-sex marriages. ----------
Patrons-- Levine, Adams, D.M., Aird, Askew, Ayala, Bagby, Bourne, Bulova, Carr, Carter, Cole, J.G., Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Filler-Corn, Gooditis, Guy, Guzman, Hayes, Helmer, Heretick, Herring, Hope, Hudson, Hurst, Jenkins, Jones, Keam, Kory, Krizek, Lopez, McQuinn, Mugler, Mullin, Mundon King, Murphy, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Reid, Roem, Samirah, Scott, Sickles, Simon, Simonds, Subramanyam, Sullivan, Torian, Tran, Tyler, VanValkenburg, Ward, Watts, Willett and Williams Graves; Senators: Barker, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hashmi, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Morrissey, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill and Surovell
---------- 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 and its agents shall issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law, regardless of the gender of the two parties to the marriage. Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity shall have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.