Maryland Lawmakers Try To Undo AG’s Out Of State Same-Sex Marriage Recognition Opinion

Image via Wikipedia

3/11/10-by Paula Brooks
A Maryland state senator has introduced a measure that would prohibit the state from recognizing gay marriages authorized elsewhere without legislative approval.

Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford, says her bill is intended to nullify a recent opinion from Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler that said even though the states law currently defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, Maryland state agencies must now recognize out-of-state gay marriages until the legislature or the states courts decide otherwise.

A bill similar to Jacobs’ was defeated last month in Maryland’s House of Delegates.

Last week, Republican Maryland Delegate and “traditional marriage advocate”, Donald Dwyer, also said he is planning to file an impeachment motion against Gansler over his opinion that the state should recognize same-sex marriages entered into outside the state.

However Maryland’s House Speaker has already said the chamber does not have the authority to impeach Gansler, and has threatened to rule Dwyer out of order if he introduces his measure.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Maryland AG Gansler : High Court Likely to Rule in Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Performed Elsewhere (towleroad.com)
• Delegate Wants To Impeach Maryland Attorney General Over Marriage Equality Opinion (lezgetreal.com)
• Maryland AG Office Says He Can’t Be Impeached Over Same-Sex Marriage Opinion (towleroad.com)
• Maryland Legislator Proposes Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Bill (lezgetreal.com)
• Maryland Attorney General Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage (bilerico.com)