New bill would separate civil and religious marriage in Minnesota

18 Feb 2009

By: Andy Birkey

A bill to allow civil unions in Minnesota was introduced in the House on Thursday. The bill (HF 999) would change the word "marriage" in state statute to "civil union contract," effectively taking the state out of the religious aspects of marriage. The bill would also change the definition of civil union to mean "two parties, recognized by the state of Minnesota" instead of "a civil contract between a man and a woman," opening proposed civil union contract language to same-sex couples.

The bill is being offered by Reps. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis; Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville; and Tom Tillberry, DFL-Fridley.

The civil unions bill is in addition to the Marriage and Family Protection Act, which would make all marriage laws in Minnesota gender-neutral, and several bills offered by Project 515, including the Final Wishes Act, designed to fix statutes that discriminate against same-sex couples.

Article taken from the Minnesota Independent