Signed by Governor Chris Gregoire

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes same-sex marriage.

Highlights:

• Defines “marriage” as a civil contract between 2 individuals that have reached the age of 18 years (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that where gender-specific terms are implemented in laws and statutes, the terms are to be understood as gender-neutral and shall apply to same-sex spouses (Secs. 1 & 13).

• Prohibits licensed religious officials from being required to provide religious-based marriage services to a same-sex couple (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits religious organizations and religiously-affiliated educational institutions from being required to provide facilities or services for same-sex marriage services (Secs. 1 & 2).

• Authorizes couples with legal unions which were validly formed in another state and which provide the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as marriage, to obtain a marriage license in Washington (Sec. 2).

• Requires both individuals to be at least 18 years of age and 1 individual in a couple to be at least 62 years of age or older in order for the couple to enter into a state registered domestic partnership (Sec. 9).

• Specifies that any state registered domestic partnership that has not been dissolved or converted into marriage by June 30, 2014, will automatically be merged into a marriage on that date, unless at least 1 person in the couple is 62 years of age or older (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes same-sex marriage.

Highlights:

• Defines “marriage” as a civil contract between 2 individuals that have reached the age of 18 years (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that where gender-specific terms are implemented in laws and statutes, the terms are to be understood as gender-neutral and shall apply to same-sex spouses (Secs. 1 & 13).

• Prohibits licensed religious officials from being required to provide religious-based marriage services to a same-sex couple (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits religious organizations and religiously-affiliated educational institutions from being required to provide facilities or services for same-sex marriage services (Secs. 1 & 2).

• Authorizes couples with legal unions which were validly formed in another state and which provide the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as marriage, to obtain a marriage license in Washington (Sec. 2).

• Requires both individuals to be at least 18 years of age and 1 individual in a couple to be at least 62 years of age or older in order for the couple to enter into a state registered domestic partnership (Sec. 9).

• Specifies that any state registered domestic partnership that has not been dissolved or converted into marriage by June 30, 2014, will automatically be merged into a marriage on that date, unless at least 1 person in the couple is 62 years of age or older (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text