Text of IN SR 12 (2012)

Introduced Version SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___ DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying alternatives to civil marriage and make recommendations. SIMPSON , read first time and referred to Committee on Introduced Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012) SENATE RESOLUTION MADAM PRESIDENT: I offer the following resolution and move its adoption: A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying alternatives to civil marriage and make recommendations. Whereas, Indiana's Constitution was ordained by the People exercising their right to choose their own government, and it is essential that the hallmarks of Indiana's constitution - personal freedom and absolute equality before the law - govern all laws that pass the General Assembly; Whereas, Civil marriage, created by and regulated through the power of the State, has long been considered a "civil right;" Whereas, Civil marriage enhances the welfare of the community, provides for the orderly distribution of property, ensures that children and adults are cared for and supported whenever possible from private rather than public funds and anchors an ordered society by encouraging stable relationships over transient ones; Whereas, Without the right to a civil marriage or anything substantially similar, many Hoosiers are excluded from the full range of human experience and denied full protection of the laws for their avowed commitment to an intimate and lasting human relationship; Whereas, House Joint Resolution 6, which passed the One Hundred Seventeenth General Assembly, states that only marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana and provides that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized; Whereas, The language of House Joint Resolution 6 may greatly affect unmarried Hoosiers' right to enter into contracts, make medical decisions, dispose of property through probate, or enjoy equal access under the law; Whereas, Civil marriage is central to the lives of individuals and the welfare of the community, and it is essential to study civil marriage alternatives to promote equity and full protection of the law for all in Indiana: Therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana: SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to assign the Judiciary Committee the task of studying alternatives to civil marriage and make recommendations. SECTION 2. The Secretary of State is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Legislative Council through the Executive Director of the Legislative Services Agency.