By News staff
DAVID KLEPPER
Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Rhode Island is headed to its first test in the General Assembly.
The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Tuesday. The legislation is expected to pass.
The full House of Representatives could take up the bill later in the week if the committee votes to send it to the floor.
Advocates for gay marriage say they expect the bill to pass the House but remain less confident about the Senate.
Nine states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to marry. Rhode Island is the only New England state without gay marriage.