Colorado Senate Passes Civil Union Act on 3rd and Final Reading

Bill Passes, 21-14, and is Headed to the House

Republican Senator Ellen Roberts (R-Durango) was the only Republican to join with Democrats in the Senate (20-15) to pass Civil Union Bill SB-11 on February 11, 2013.  There was no debate because it was the third time in three years the Senate has debated the measure.  With Democrats now in the majority in the House, the bill is expected to pass, be signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper in March and became effective in May.

A committee hearing is expected to be scheduled next week. The speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino is the sponsor  and is openly gay. “These committed couples want civil unions to uphold the values we all hold dear: commitment to others, stability, responsibility, and, most importantly, family.” While civil unions are not entitled to as many benefits as heterosexuals receive, it nevertheless gives more benefits than a domestic partnership.

History of the Bill Allowing Gay Couples to Form Civil Unions

On February 8, 2013, the Senate gave initial approval to the bill.  The measure is sponsored by two gay Denver Democrats, Senators Pat Steadman and Lucia Guzman.  Steadman introduced the civil unions bill in 2011 when it had a mini-debate. “Civil unions will allow committed couples to share in the responsibilities and protections in Colorado law that most families take for granted.  Our society is stronger when we promote personal responsibility and taking care of one another, and civil unions do just that,” said Senator Pat Steadman, sponsor of the bill. Brad Clark, Executive Director of One Colorado, LGBT rights group, commented “ it’s well past time that these families have equal protection under the law. We applaud the bipartisan passage of civil unions in the Senate and look forward to the debate in the House.”

The bill in 2011 and 2012 died in the Republican-controlled House. Last year, it was stalled in the House.  Republicans previously in the House have blocked the bill from becoming law.  All four of the Republican amendments failed.

Republican Attempts to Thwart Bill

Republicans attempted to amend the bill by adding religious exemptions for private businesses and adoption agencies on February 8 during a mini debate.  The minority party, the GOP, tried to send the bill to the voters.  GOP lawmakers in a final plea asked to have the start date of May 1 pushed back so that voters might be able to repeal the law at the ballot box.  Called a “compromise” by the Republicans, their last amendment was defeated.

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