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: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Washington approves bill recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages

By Maureen Cosgrove

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[JURIST] The Washington House of Representatives [official website] on Friday voted 58-39 to approve a bill [materials] recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages as legal domestic partnerships. House Bill 1649 amends current law that recognizes out-of-state domestic partnerships and civil unions, but excludes same-sex marriage [JURIST news archive]. The vote took place on Friday evening, leaving several representatives displeased [Seattle Times report] that the debate would not be readily available to voters. The bill will proceed to the Senate for voting.

In January, the Wyoming House of Representatives approved a bill [text, PDF] that would prevent Wyoming from recognizing same-sex marriages and civil unions performed out-of-state. However, several states recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. Earlier this month, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King [official website] issued an opinion stating that gay marriages from out of state would likely be legal [The New Mexico Independent report] there. In February, Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler [official website] declared that Maryland should recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere [JURIST report]. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington DC [JURIST reports].