Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2004


Senate GOP Leader James A. Williamson

Text of House Bill 2259
Marriage Protection Amendment

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law, the following proposed amendment to Article II of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma by adding a new Section 35 to read as follows:

Section 35. A. Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman. Neither this Constitution nor any other provision of law shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.

B. A marriage between persons of the same gender performed in another state shall not be recognized as valid and binding in this state as of the date of the marriage.

C. Any person knowingly issuing a marriage license in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office - (405) 521-5774