An Act to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition.
HB612 is a constitutional amendment resolution that places before Virginia voters a proposed change to Section 15-A of Article I of the Virginia Constitution at the November 2026 general election. The amendment would remove the existing constitutional language limiting marriage to one man and one woman and replace it with language stating that marriage is a vital personal right and that two adult persons may not be denied a marriage license on the basis of sex, gender, or race. It also directs the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions to recognize lawful marriages between two adult persons and to treat those marriages equally under the law.
The bill sets out the ballot question, election procedures, certification requirements, and the effective date if approved. If a majority of voters support the amendment, it would take effect on January 1, 2027. In practical terms, the measure would amend Virginia’s constitution to eliminate the same-sex marriage prohibition and affirm equal recognition of marriages between two adults regardless of sex, gender, or race.
If adopted by voters, HB612 would change Virginia’s constitutional marriage provision and supersede the current ban on same-sex marriage in Section 15-A of Article I. It would require state and local governments to issue marriage licenses without discrimination based on sex, gender, or race, and to recognize and treat lawful marriages between two adults equally under Virginia law. The bill also triggers election administration duties for the State Board of Elections and local electoral boards, but it does not itself change the Code beyond the constitutional amendment process and related ballot procedures.
The available context shows no recorded committee debate or vote history, so there is no documented opposition or support in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s text, the measure is framed as an equality and marriage-rights amendment, suggesting a generally supportive or reform-oriented posture. Because no transcripts or votes are included, the overall sentiment cannot be measured beyond the bill’s affirmative, rights-expanding language.
The central point of contention is the constitutional change itself: whether Virginia should remove the remaining marriage ban language and explicitly protect marriage access for two adult persons regardless of sex, gender, or race. Supporters would likely emphasize equal treatment, marriage rights, and alignment with current legal norms, while opponents could object on constitutional, social, or religious grounds. No specific stakeholder positions, amendments, or committee disputes are provided in the record, so the conflict is only identifiable from the subject matter of the proposal.