PA Proposed Marriage Ban Amended

June 14, 2006

HARRISBURG—A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, the Senate Committee approved an amendment that removed a ban on civil unions and domestic partnerships in the state.

HB 2381 now moves to the full Senate, where its passage is uncertain. Approval of the change to the bill by the Committee has upset the original sponsors of the bill, who believe that civil unions and domestic partnerships are simply marriage substitutes. These opponents of equality for same-sex couples are now concerned that debate on the bill as amended will delay and, perhaps, prevent passage of the bill in this session.

The process of amending the Pennsylvania Constitution requires an identical bill to be passed by both the House and Senate in two consecutive legislative sessions, after which the voters must approve the bill in a votor referendum.

For more information see this story on 365gay.com.

For the text of the bill, see the legislative history on this site.

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