Bill Text: VA SJR5 | 2022 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to marry, same-sex marriage prohibition.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2022-03-08 - Left in Privileges and Elections [SJR5 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SJR5-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Virginia, hereinafter set forth, was agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses of the General Assembly at the special session I of 2021 and referred to this, the next regular session held after the 2021 general election of members of the House of Delegates, as required by the Constitution of Virginia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the following amendment to the Constitution of Virginia be, and the same hereby is, proposed in conformity with the provisions of Section 1 of Article XII of the Constitution of Virginia, namely:
Amend Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:
Section 15-A. Marriage Fundamental right to marry.
That only a union between one
man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth
and its political subdivisions the
right to marry is a fundamental right, inherent in the liberty of persons, and
marriage is one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of
happiness.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for
relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design,
qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or
its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or
other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations,
qualities, or effects of marriage and
agents shall 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 shall have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
