HB605:

Constitutional amendment; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition (submitting to qualified voters).

Bill Summary:

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum);
marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right
to marry. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2022, election
to approve or reject an amendment that would repeal the constitutional
provision defining marriage as only a union between a man and woman
as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result
of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges,
576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry
is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and requires
the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and agents to 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 have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.