DELAWARE: Civil Unions Bill Introduced

Today a civil unions bill was introduced in the Delaware Senate. The Human Rights Campaign reports via press release:

“Today, members of the Delaware Senate have put forth a solid plan for providing critical benefits to same-sex couples and their children,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Now is the time to treat all Delaware families with equality and we call on the Delaware legislature to swiftly pass the civil unions bill.” “EQDE is proud to have worked with the sponsors of this bill to get to today,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. “We believe that the time has come in Delaware for civil unions and that this bill will become law this year.” SB 30, was introduced by Senator David Sokola & Representative Melanie George. The bill would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses. Religious institutions may choose not to solemnize civil unions.

Seven states presently offer some version of civil unions: California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Illinois and Hawaii. Civil unions laws in the latter two states have not yet gone into effect.