Bill Text: IN SR0012 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Study of civil marriage alternatives.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-17 - First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary [SR0012 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2012-SR0012-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to
assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying alternatives
to civil marriage and make recommendations.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council
to assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying
alternatives to civil marriage and make recommendations.
Whereas, Indiana's Constitution was ordained by the People
exercising their right to choose their own government, and it is
essential that the hallmarks of Indiana's constitution - personal
freedom and absolute equality before the law - govern all laws
that pass the General Assembly;
Whereas, Civil marriage, created by and regulated through the
power of the State, has long been considered a "civil right;"
Whereas, Civil marriage enhances the welfare of the
community, provides for the orderly distribution of property,
ensures that children and adults are cared for and supported
whenever possible from private rather than public funds and
anchors an ordered society by encouraging stable relationships
over transient ones;
Whereas, Without the right to a civil marriage or anything substantially similar, many Hoosiers are excluded from the full range of human experience and denied full protection of the laws for their avowed commitment to an intimate and lasting
human relationship;
Whereas, House Joint Resolution 6, which passed the One
Hundred Seventeenth General Assembly, states that only
marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or
recognized as a marriage in Indiana and provides that a legal
status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for
unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized;
Whereas, The language of House Joint Resolution 6 may
greatly affect unmarried Hoosiers' right to enter into contracts,
make medical decisions, dispose of property through probate,
or enjoy equal access under the law;
Whereas, Civil marriage is central to the lives of individuals
and the welfare of the community, and it is essential to study
civil marriage alternatives to promote equity and full
protection of the law for all in Indiana: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying alternatives to civil marriage and make recommendations.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of State is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Legislative Council through the Executive Director of the Legislative Services Agency.