HJR3Introduced in the House of Delegates
Constitutional amendment (second reference); marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry.
Introduced by Mark Sickles, District 17
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Constitutional amendment (second reference); marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons. The Commonwealth and its political subdivisions are required to recognize any lawful marriage between two adult persons and to treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of such persons.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0975)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate · January 16, 2026
26
Yes
13
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Absent |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
| Tammy Brankley Mulchi | 9 | No |
| Luther Cifers | 10 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101634D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (16-Y 6-N)
Taken up
Engrossed by House
Agreed to by House (67-Y 31-N 0-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (10-Y 3-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote)
Senator Jordan, Emily M. Amendment rejected
Passed Senate
Agreed to by Senate
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ3ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Assigned Chapter 975 (Effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0975)
Verify the information
Our commitment to neutrality
We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.