Bill > SJR249

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, fundamentally changing the state's legal approach to marriage. The amendment repeals the previous language that defined marriage as only between one man and one woman, which was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015. Instead, the new language establishes marriage as a vital personal right and prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying marriage licenses to two adult persons based on sex, gender, or race. The resolution requires Virginia and its local governments to recognize and treat lawfully married couples equally under the law, regardless of the partners' sex, gender, or race. This proposed amendment would need to be agreed upon by the General Assembly and then put to voters in a subsequent election, following the standard constitutional amendment process in Virginia.

Government Affairs

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SJ249