HJ678: Constitutional amendment; relating to marriage (first reference).

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 678
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 9, 2007
Proposing an amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage.
Patron-- Ebbin

Committee Referral Pending

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.

Any right, benefit, obligation, or status pertaining to persons not married is otherwise not altered or abridged by this section.