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New Jersey Senate committee approves same-sex marriage bill

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-6 Monday in favor of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. This is the first time that any body in the state legislature has approved a same-sex marriage bill. The vote came after hours of debate with testimony from supporters and opponents of the legislation. The bill will now move before the full senate for a vote scheduled for Thursday. It is unclear whether there is enough support to approve the legislation. If passed by the full senate, the bill would then go before the state assembly, where it is more likely to pass. Outgoing Governor Jon Corzine (D) has promised to sign the bill, but Governor-elect Chris Christie (R), who takes office next month, has vowed to veto it. Last week, the New York Senate defeated legislation to allow same-sex marriage. In November, Maine voters vetoed a same-sex marriage bill passed by that state's legislature. The Maine vote came a year after California voters approved Proposition 8, an amendment to the state constitution overturning the state's high court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is legal in four states in the US - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont - and will be legal in New Hampshire starting January 1. New Jersey has recognized same-sex civil unions since 2006.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 08, 2009 (boomark / email).