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New Hampshire

Key Vote

Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage



Key Votes:
HB 436

Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Date: 03/26/2009
Sponsor: Rep. Splaine, James



Roll no. 80

Bill Passed
(House)

How members voted
(186 - 179)


Project 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.

Official Title of Legislation:

HB 436: An Act relative to civil marriage and civil unions.

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 Text of Legislation (PDF Document)

House Passage: 03/26/2009 : Bill Passed 186 - 179 (Roll no. 80)

Senate Passage With Amendment: 04/29/2009 : Bill Passed: 13 - 11 (Roll no. 54)

House Concurrence Vote: 05/06/2009 : Concurrence Vote Passed 178 - 167 (Roll no. 148)

Governor Passage: 06/04/2009 : Signed

Sponsor:
Rep. Splaine, James

Cosponsors:
Rep. Butler, Edward
Rep. McEachern, Paul
Rep. Richardson, Barbara Hull



PVS provides summaries for each version of the bill selected as a key vote. The summary does not necessarily reflect the final version of the bill. For further status information, call the Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).




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