SJ 249 Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Constitutional amendment; marriage between two adult persons.

Summary

Constitutional amendment (first reference); marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons. The Commonwealth and its political subdivisions are required to recognize any lawful marriage between two adult persons and to treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of such persons.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2024

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Nov 25, 2024 Last action Mar 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

This document shows the transition of Senate Joint Resolution 249 from its enrolled status to its chaptered status as Virginia Act Chapter 605. The substantive policy content of the constitutional amendment regarding marriage remains unchanged - it continues to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman while also prohibiting discrimination in marriage licenses based on sex, gender, or race. The primary changes are formatting and structural updates reflecting the bill's progression through the legislative process.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the amendment text remains identical.

TECHNICAL

Added chapter designation (Chapter 605) and reorganized layout formatting to reflect official chaptered status

Updated header information to show the bill has been formally enacted as a Virginia Act

Included additional spacing and alignment formatting consistent with official chaptered document standards

Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2025

How they voted

24–15

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Jan 21, 2025

D Democratic21

21 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

3 Yea 15 Nay 1

78% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2025

Committee

Assigned Chapter 605 (Effective 7/01/25)

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ249ER)

upper

Feb 13, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (58-34-8)

house of delegates

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed by for the day

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 6-N)

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read third time and agreed to by Senate (24-Y 15-N)

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Privileges and Elections (10-Y 4-N)

upper

Nov 25, 2024

Committee

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

upper

1 primary · 20 co-sponsors