By margins of more than 2-1, ensuring its enactment into law, both houses of the Virginia legislature have passed HB 751, which would declare null and void all “partnership agreements” between persons of the same sex that “bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage” and bar the enforcement of such agreements (including agreements reached between residents of other states). Critics (see Mar. 19, Apr. 18) and Gov. Mark Warner have warned that the bill may open the door to legal challenges to private contractual arrangements, powers of attorney and similar legal devices when employed between persons of the same sex. Religious right groups hailed the votes; the bill’s sponsor denied that it was intended to affect private contractual arrangements. The bill becomes the law of the Commonwealth July 1. (Christina Nuckols, “Lawmakers restore full ban on gay unions, partnerships”, The Virginian-Pilot, Apr. 22; Michael Sluss, “Warner’s amendments die in House”, Roanoke Times, Apr. 22). More: David Hill, Eric Scheie and Tim Hulsey comment. (Corrected/updated May 6 to clarify final status of bill.) Yet more: May 12, May 31.
Update: Virginia primitive, cont’d
By margins of more than 2-1, ensuring its enactment into law, both houses of the Virginia legislature have passed HB 751, which would declare null and void all “partnership agreements” between persons of the same sex that “bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage” and bar the enforcement of such agreements (including agreements reached between […]
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