SB557:

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a man and woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer
valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in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.