Bill > HB1459

This bill repeals Section 451.022 of the Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo), which previously prohibited same-sex marriages in the state. The existing law stated that marriage could only be between a man and a woman, declared any marriage between same-sex partners invalid, prevented recorders from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and explicitly refused to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. By repealing this section, the bill effectively eliminates these restrictions and allows same-sex marriages to be legally performed and recognized in Missouri, aligning the state's marriage laws with the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The repeal removes discriminatory language from state statutes and ensures equal marriage rights for all couples regardless of sexual orientation.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1459&year=2025&code=R