The Washington state Legislature began its 2012 regular session Monday, Jan. 9, without a finalized draft of the proposed marriage equality bill.
The bill, which was planned to be available on Monday, had yet to have its language finalized, said Karina Shagren of Gov. Christine Gregoire’s communications department. They are hopeful to have it released to the Legislature within the next day or two.
Gregoire backed the proposed bill on Jan. 4, joining Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, who have taken a leadership role in the proposal, Shagren said.
The proposed bill, if passed, will ensure marriage rights to same-sex couples under Washington state law, making Washington the seventh state to legalize gay marriage, according to a press release by Gregoire’s office Jan. 4.
On Monday, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney joined with marriage equality advocates “to fully recognize same-sex unions as ‘marriage’ under state law,” according to a press release by Sen. Sweeney, “making it the Senate’s first order of business” in the next session.
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