BILL REQ. #:  H-0445.1 

Read first time 01/31/2005.   Referred to Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law.

     BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:
     THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article IV of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a new section to read as follows:

     Article IV, section . . . .. To secure and preserve the benefits of marriage for our society and for future generations of children, only a union between one man and one woman shall be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. Recognizing that marriage between persons other than a male and a female has never been authorized or recognized by law in this state, any marriage not otherwise considered valid by an act of the legislature or the people, is void and of no legal effect. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals, including any civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar relationship, that intends to or does approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effect of marriage, or extends or confers the legal incidents thereof, including any marital, spousal, or familial right, benefit, privilege, advantage, immunity, or entitlement, or any equivalent thereof, that is authorized or recognized by law, or is paid for, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, with public funds. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, no court established by this Constitution or by an act of the legislature shall have jurisdiction to hear or decide any claim that a relationship other than that prescribed by the legislature or the people as constituting lawful marriage is entitled to legal status that intends to or does approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effect of marriage, including any legal incident thereof, such as any marital, spousal, or familial right, benefit, privilege, advantage, immunity, or entitlement, or any equivalent thereof, that is authorized or recognized by law, or is paid for, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, with public funds. Nothing in this provision prevents private parties from contracting between and among themselves for any right, benefit, privilege, advantage, immunity, or entitlement, or any equivalent thereof, that is not otherwise expressly prohibited by law. The provisions of this section shall supersede any other provision of this Constitution, including any conflicting provisions in Article I, Article IV, and Article XXXI of this Constitution.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.