Constitutional amendment marriage; marriage (first reference). (SJ2)
Introduced By
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patron Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
Description
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Proposes the repeal of the constitutional amendment dealing with marriage that was approved by referendum at the November 2006 election. That amendment to the Bill of Rights (i) defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman"; (ii) prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage"; and (iii) prohibits the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." The provisions of this section of the Constitution of Virginia are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (June 26, 2015). Read the Bill »
Status
01/19/2016: Failed to Pass in Committee
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 11/24/2015 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16100353D |
| 11/24/2015 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
| 01/19/2016 | Continued to 2017 in Privileges and Elections (12-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. The Supreme Court of the United States confirmed in Obergefell v. Hodges that the U.S. Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry, and prohibits state laws that do not treat same-sex couples equally with regard to the benefits and obligations of civil marriage. Virginia should act quickly to repeal this unconstitutional provision in the Virginia constitution.
Equality Virginia supports this bill.
The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill. The Supreme Court of the United States confirmed in Obergefell v. Hodges that the U.S. Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry, and prohibits state laws that do not treat same-sex couples equally with regard to the benefits and obligations of civil marriage. Virginia should act quickly to repeal this unconstitutional provision in the Virginia constitution.