HJ582: Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to marry, removes same-sex marriage prohibition.
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:
Section 15-A. Marriage Fundamental right to marry.
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 the right to marry is a fundamental right, inherent in the
liberty of persons, and marriage is one of the vital personal rights essential
to the orderly pursuit of happiness.
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 agents shall issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all
marriages equally under the law regardless of the sex or gender of the parties
to the marriage.
Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity shall have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 582
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:
Section 15-A. Marriage Fundamental right to marry.
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 the
right to marry is a fundamental right, inherent in the liberty of persons, and
marriage is one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit
of happiness.
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 agents shall issue marriage licenses,
recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law regardless
of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage.
Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity shall have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.