5688-S2.E AMH HINK TANG 089

E2SSB 5688 - H AMD 674

By Representative Hinkle

FAILED 4/15/2009

    On page 4, after line 22, insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 26.60 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The legislature has expressly declared that Washington state has a compelling state interest in reaffirming its historical commitment to the institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman as husband and wife and in protecting that institution, and has further declared its intent to establish public policy against same-sex marriage that clearly and definitively declares same-sex marriages will not be recognized in Washington, even if they are made legal in other states.

    (2) The legislature has enacted statutory law that prohibits marriages when the parties are persons other than a male and a female, and provides that marriages between two persons other than a male and a female that are recognized as valid in other jurisdictions are not valid or recognized in this state.

    (3) Nothing in this act, or any other provision of this code, is intended, or shall be construed, to modify or supersede state law pertaining to what constitutes marriage, to promote or endorse same-sex marriage or any specific belief, practice, behavior, preference, or orientation, or to denominate registered domestic partnerships as lawful marriage since that nomenclature applies only to marriage between a man and a woman as husband and wife under existing state law."

    Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.  Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Provides that the legislature has expressly prohibited same-sex marriage and the recognition of same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions, and that this act and any other provision in the code are not intended to, and shall not be construed to, modify or supersede the state law regarding what constitutes marriage.

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