Lawmakers in Delaware this week introduced a measure seeking to grant same-sex couples the rights afforded by marriage, but without the title.
The civil-union bill was introduced in both chambers of the Delaware legislature March 22 by Sen. David Sokola and Rep. Melanie George.
Eight senators signed on as cosponsors, along with 18 representatives. The list of supporters is heavily Democrat, although a few Republicans are cosponsors.
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) said this week that he supports the legislation and stood beside advocates at a press conference announcing the introduction of the Civil Union & Equality Act.
The measure would offer “all of the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibility as married persons under Delaware law.”
The bill summary includes language that it does not seek to “revise the definition or eligibility requirements of marriage under Delaware law or to require any religious institution to perform solemnizations of civil unions.”
Last week, Equality Delaware released the results of a statewide poll indicating that more than 60 percent of voters are in favor of a civil-union law.
A civil-union bill was introduced last month in the Pennsylvania House.
— Jen Colletta