Same-Sex Marriage Bill Introduced to Senate
Two Senate Bills (SB 212 and SB 241) were introduced to the Senate on the evening of Monday, January 23. The Bills that were introduced pertain to Gender Identity and Same-sex Marriage. The title referring to the Same-Sex Marriage is “Civil Marriage Protection Act.” Disclosure of both Bills are listed below.
Hearing Date
The Senate Judicial Proceedings committee hearing date has been set on the same-sex marriage bill (SB241) for Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 1:00 pm at 2 East Miller Senate Building, 11 Bladen Street in Annapolis.
Anyone wishing to testify on any bill must sign the witness register before 12:45 pm. If you have written testimony, please submit 20 copies to the staff for distribution by 12:00 pm.
The order that bills are listed on the schedule is not necessarily the order in which they will be heard.
Materials submitted for the Committee’s consideration should not include plastic covers, binders or other materials that cannot be easily re-use or recycled.
All Senate Bills relating to same-sex marriage will be heard on this date. Testimony will be limited to 2 hours per side.
Bill Overviews
Senate Bill 212: Human Relations – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – Anti-discrimination
For the purpose of prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity with regard to public accommodations, housing, and employment; prohibiting discrimination base on gender identity by certain licensed or regulated persons; prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to the leasing of property for commercial usage or in the provision of certain services or facilities; altering a certain exception for employers that relates to standards concerning dress and grooming; providing that an employer is immune from certain liability for certain acts to verify the gender identity of any employe or applicant in response to a certain charge; making certain State personnel actions to be made without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation; defining the term “gender identity”; making certain conforming changes; and generally relating to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Senate Bill 212 consist of 11 pages which contains specific details pertaining to Gender Identity. To view or download SB212 in its entirety click here.
Senate Bill 241: Civil Marriage Protection Act
For the purpose of altering a provision of law establishing that only certain marriage are valid in this State; making stylistic and conforming changes in certain provisions of law prohibiting marriages within certain degrees of relationship; prohibiting marriages within certain degrees of relationship; prohibiting certain officials from being required to solemnize or officiate a particular marriage or religious rite of a marriage in violation of a certain constitutional right; establishing that certain religious entities have exclusive control over their own theological doctrine, policy teachings, or beliefs regarding who may marry within that faith; prohibiting certain officials from being subject to any fine or penalty for failing or refusing to join individuals in marriage; prohibiting certain religious entities from being required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges to an individual under certain circumstances; providing that a certain refusal by a certain religious entity or an individual employed by a certain religious entity may not create a civil claim or cause of action or result in any State action to penalize, withhold benefits from, or discriminate against such entities or individuals; prohibiting certain fraternal benefit societies from being required to admit an individual as a member or provide insurance benefits to an individual under certain circumstances; providing that a certain refusal by a certain constitute the basis for the withholding of governmental benefits or services from the fraternal benefit society; providing for the construction of the Act; and generally relating to valid marriages and religious freedom.
Senate Bill 241 consist of 6 pages which contains specific details pertaining to Same-sex marriage. To view or download SB241 in its entirety click here.
Contact your Senator
Not sure who your Senator is or the District number in which you live? Not to worry, we have provided a Maryland State Senator and Representative listing for your convenience. Under each Senator and Representative are the listing of the geographical areas that fall under their jurisdiction.
Time is of Importance
There are only 7 days to voice your position concerning the Bills that were introduced to the Senate before they proceed to Congress for approval. Many Senators stand ready to approve and pass both Bills on to Congress, however, there are a few who have not made a decision. All Senators are subject to the “will” of the people no matter what their personal preferences are. It is not too late to make a difference. Once a Bill proceeds to Congress, it is a harder battle to have it dismissed.
There are several ways that you can contact your Senator and Representative, by letter (not enough time for this issue), by phone, and by email.
Pray – Petition – Be Positive
Pray: Pray that hearts would turn to Him who is the Author and Finisher, repenting from our wicked ways, and that our Heavenly Father would heal our land.
Petition: Call or email your Maryland representative and Senator in Annapolis today, time is running out.
Positive: Please remember that we are ambassadors for Christ and this is not a battle of flesh and blood, but rather spiritual. Our Lord is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
