PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Same-sex marriage legislation has been posted for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 21.
The House and Senate have been at a standoff since the House passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, championed by by House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, early in the session.
But the introduction Wednesday of a Senate bill seeking a referendum on a constitutional amendment to allow same-sex marriage, but provide legal indemnification to anyone who refuses to provide goods, services or accommodations for religious reasons, set the stage for the hearing.
The hearing will provide an opportunity for public comment on two bills: one that mirrors the House-passed bill to allow same-sex marriage; the other calling for a referendum that Sen. Frank Ciccone and 10 co-sponsors introduced on Wednesday.