S 0326 General Bill, By Ford
Summary: Civil Union Equality Act
    A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-1-18 TO ENACT THE "CIVIL UNION EQUALITY ACT" SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT TWO PERSONS MAY FORM A CIVIL UNION IF THEY ARE OF THE SAME SEX; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL LAWS APPLICABLE TO MARRIAGE APPLY TO CIVIL UNIONS AND THAT THE SAME BENEFITS, PROTECTIONS, RIGHTS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE LAW GRANTED TO SPOUSES IN A MARRIAGE ARE ALSO GRANTED TO THOSE JOINED IN A CIVIL UNION; TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS TO KEEP A RECORD OF ALL CIVIL UNIONS FORMED AND THE DISSOLUTION OF SUCH UNIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FAMILY COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER ALL PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE DISSOLUTION OF A CIVIL UNION AND THE SAME RULES AND PROCEDURES THAT APPLY TO THE DISSOLUTION OF A MARRIAGE APPLY TO THE DISSOLUTION OF A CIVIL UNION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ACT MUST BE CONSTRUED LIBERALLY TO SECURE TO CIVIL UNIONS THE ATTRIBUTES, EFFECTS, BENEFITS, AND PROTECTIONS EQUAL TO THOSE AFFORDED MARRIAGE.
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01/24/07	Senate	Introduced and read first time SJ-7
01/24/07	Senate	Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-7
01/26/07	Senate	Referred to Subcommittee: Ritchie (ch), Rankin, Lourie, Scott