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Equality California-Sponsored Legislation

AB 43 - Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act would guarantee the California Constitution's promise of religious freedom and extend the vital protections afforded by marriage to loving and committed same-sex couples.

Status: Introduced by Assemblymember Leno on December 4, 2006.  Passed by Assembly on June 6 by a 42-34 vote. Passed Senate by 22-15 vote. Awaiting action by Governor.

Lead Author: Assemblymember Mark Leno

Sponsor: Equality California

Joint-Authors: Assemblymembers Laird and Lieber

Principal Co-Authors: Senators Kehoe, Kuehl, Migden, and Perata

Co-authors: Senators Alquist, Calderon, Cedillo, Lowenthal, Oropeza, Romero, Steinberg, Torlakson, Wiggins, and Yee; Assemblymembers Alarcon, Beall, Berg, Brownley, Coto, De Leon, DeSaulnier, Eng, Evans, Feuer, Hancock, Hayashi, Huffman, Jones, Krekorian, Levine, Ma, Mendoza, Mullin, Nunez, Portantino, Ruskin, Saldana, Soto, and Swanson

RESOURCES:

AB 43 Fact Sheet (.pdf)

AB 43 Sample Letter of Support  (.doc)

Supporters of AB 43

Official Legislative Documents

Medical and Health Policies Supporting Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

Governor's Veto Message (.pdf)

PRESS RELEASES:

Governor Vetoes Bill Granting Same-Sex Couples the Ability to Marry
10-12-2007

California Legislature Again Passes Bill Giving Same-Sex Couples Choice to Marry
9-7-2007

Legislators Return to EQCA’s Ambitious LGBT Legislative Agenda
8-20-2007

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Bill to End Exclusion of Same-Sex Couples from Marriage
7-10-2007

Assembly Passes Bill Granting Same-Sex Couples the Ability to Marry in California
6-5-2007

Assembly Judiciary Committee Overwhelmingly Passes Bill Supporting Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
4-10-2007

Assemblymember Leno and EQCA Reintroduce Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act
12-1-2006