HJ57:

Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to marry, same-sex marriage prohibition.

Bill Summary:

Constitutional amendment (second reference);
marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right
to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage
as only a union between one man and one 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provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States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.