SJR3Introduced in the Senate
Constitutional amendment (second reference); marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry.
Introduced by Adam Ebbin, District 39
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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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provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).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 (CHAP0979)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Agreed to by House (61-Y 32-N 0-A) · February 2, 2026
61
Yes
32
No
7
Absent or Not Voting
100 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Absent |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Absent |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100274D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (10-Y 4-N)
Read first time
Read second time
Passed by temporarily
Floor offered Senator Jordan Amendment
Reading of amendment waived
Senator Jordan Amendment rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Agreed to by Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)
Reconsideration of (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Agreed to by Senate (26-Y 12-N 0-A)
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Reported from Privileges and Elections (16-Y 6-N)
Taken up
Agreed to by House (61-Y 32-N 0-A)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ3ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Assigned Chapter 979 (Effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0979)
Verify the information
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