Constitutional amendment marriage; marriage (first reference). (SJ216)
Introduced By
Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) with support from co-patron Del. Mark Levine (D-Alexandria)
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 The provisions of this section of the Constitution of Virginia are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (June 26, 2015).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 »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 07/18/2016 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100124D |
| 07/18/2016 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
| 01/20/2017 | Assigned to P&E sub: Constitutional Amendments |
| 01/31/2017 | Committee substitute printed 17104944D-S1 |
| 01/31/2017 | Incorporates SJ216 (Locke) |
| 01/31/2017 | Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections with letter (8-Y 6-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia supports this resolution that would begin the process of repealing the discriminatory marriage limitation provision now in the Virginia constitution. An identical resolution would have to pass in the 2018 session of the General Assembly, before the issue can be presented to the voters in 2018.