APSCUF Legislative News

Pennsylvania Marriage Amendment

House Bill 2381 proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution validating and recognizing only marriage between a man and a woman. In Pennsylvania, the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 already denies civil marriages for same sex couples. Passage of this new piece of legislation has the potential to adversely affect thousands of unmarried, heterosexual couples. The proposed amendment could take away existing legal protections for committed long-term couples and their children, including such rights as hospital visitation and inheritance, as well as childcare, pension benefits, protection from abuse requests, and health insurance coverage.

On Tuesday, June 6, the State House passed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. The amendment passed by a vote of 136 to 61. The proposal won the support of 41 Democrats and was supported by all but five Republicans.

The proposed amendment then went to the State Senate where a panel limited its scope by applying it only to marriages, not civil unions. On Wednesday, June 21, the proposed amendment went up against a Senate vote where it passed 38-12.

Although the proposal passed in both the Senate and the House, it still has a long way to go if it is to be successful. The differences in the wording of the amendment must now be reconciled, as amending the constitution requires both chambers to pass an identical bill in two separate legislative sessions before being placed on the ballot for voters to ratify. Both the Senate and House must pass the same bill 90 days before the general election. This means that in order to get the proposed amendment on the ballot next year, they must come to an agreement on the wording before the summer recess begins on June 30.

Please click the links below for the latest news on the proposed constitutional amendment and tips on how to advocate against it:

NEWS:

“Pa senate backs gay-marriage ban”
Article from Philadelphia Inquirer Online

 “Senate’s same-sex marriage ban only fans fire”
Article from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Online

"Senate OKs amendment defining marriage”
Article from Lancaster Online

 “State Senate passes bill outlawing gay marriage”
Article from The Morning Call Online

“Gay marriage ban could sway election”
Article from The York Daily Record Online

 “PA Approves Gay Marriage Ban Amendment”
Article from CBS3 of Philadelphia

“Senate OKs rewritten marriage proposal”
Article from Patriot News Online

 “Senate panel amends ban on same-sex marriage”
Article from Patriot News Online 

 “PA. House passes gay marriage ban”
Article in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Online

“PA moves to ban same-sex marriage”
Article from Philadelphia Inquirer Online

 “Coalition opposes same-sex marriage ban”
Article from Patriot News Online

“PA House OKs same-sex amendment”
Article from Centre Daily Times Online

“Gay marriage amendment subject of debate in Pittsburgh”
Article from ThePittsburghChannel.com

“Details of gay marriage debate in PA.”
Article from phillyburbs.com

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