Signed by Governor John Lynch

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends existing statutes related to marriage by specifying that it is a legally recognized union of two people, provided that they meet the existing eligibility requirements beginning January 1, 2010, thereby eliminating the prohibition against same-sex marriage.

Highlights:

- Limits eligibility for same-sex marriages to individuals that are 18 years of age or older, as opposed to the age restriction on heterosexual marriage of 14 for males and 13 for females (Sec. 2). - Specifies that individuals licensed to solemnize marriages are authorized to refuse to solemnize any particular civil marriage in violation of their religious or free expression rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and New Hampshire Constitution (Sec. 4). - Retains existing prohibitions against marrying one's father, mother, father's brother, father's sister, mother's brother, mother's sister, son, daughter, brother, sister, son's son, son's daughter, daughter's son, daughter's daughter, brother's son, brother's daughter, sister's son, sister's daughter, father's brother's son, father's brother's daughter, mother's brother's son, mother's brother's daughter, father's sister's son, father's sister's daughter, mother's sister's son, or mother's sister's daughter (Sec. 2). - Specifies that marriages legally contracted outside of the State of New Hampshire, including same-sex marriages, shall be recognized by the state of New Hampshire as a legitimate marriage once the contracting parties become permanent residents of the state (Sec. 2)

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends existing statutes related to marriage by specifying that it is a legally recognized union of two people, provided that they meet the existing eligibility requirements beginning January 1, 2010, thereby eliminating the prohibition against same-sex marriage.

Highlights:

-Specifies that individuals licensed to solemnize marriages are authorized to refuse to solemnize any particular civil marriage in violation of their religious or free expression rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and New Hampshire Constitution (Sec. 3). -Retains existing prohibitions against marrying one's father, mother, father's brother, father's sister, mother's brother, mother's sister, son, daughter, brother, sister, son's son, son's daughter, daughter's son, daughter's daughter, brother's son, brother's daughter, sister's son, sister's daughter, father's brother's son, father's brother's daughter, mother's brother's son, mother's brother's daughter, father's sister's son, father's sister's daughter, mother's sister's son, or mother's sister's daughter (Sec. 2). -Specifies that marriages legally contracted outside of the State of New Hampshire, including same-sex marriages, shall be recognized by the state of New Hampshire as a legitimate marriage once the contracting parties become permanent residents of the state (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text