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Timeline

Every entry in the archive, ordered by event date. Page 41 of 41, showing April 22, 2003 to March 30, 2017. Pages contain 50 entries each; entries for a given date may continue on the next or previous page.

2017 Events (7)

March(2)

North Carolina Gov. Cooper signed HB142, repealing HB2 but preempting local LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances

On March 30, 2017, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 142 (Session Law 2017-4), repealing the state's 2016 "bathroom bill" while replacing it with a permanent state claim over multi-occupancy restroom access and a moratorium on local nondiscrimination ordinances through December 1, 2020. LGBTQ advocacy groups and legal observers said the measure fell short of a true repeal, since it continued to bar cities such as Charlotte from adopting protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity.

South Dakota Gov. Daugaard signed SB 149, shielding taxpayer-funded child-placement agencies that refuse LGBTQ+ parents

On March 10, 2017, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 149 into law, making South Dakota the first state to enact anti-LGBTQ legislation in 2017. The law bars the state from taking adverse action -- revoking licenses, contracts, tax-exempt status, or state-benefit-program participation -- against taxpayer-funded, religiously affiliated child-placement agencies that decline, on religious or moral grounds, to place children with LGBTQ+ or other prospective parents. The South Dakota Legislature passed the bill 43-20 in the House and 27-8 in the Senate before it reached Daugaard's desk.

2016 Events (2)

April(1)

Mississippi Gov. Bryant signed HB 1523, authorizing religion-based denial of service to LGBT people

On April 5, 2016, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed HB 1523, the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act," into law. The statute lets state employees, private businesses, religious organizations, and state-funded providers refuse services based on three specified religious beliefs about marriage, sex, and gender, shielding refusal of marriage licenses to same-sex couples and denial of services to LGBT people and unmarried people. A federal judge enjoined the law in June 2016, but the Fifth Circuit later reversed on standing grounds and it took effect on October 9, 2017.

March(1)

North Carolina Gov. McCrory signed HB2, barring transgender bathroom access and preempting local nondiscrimination ordinances

On March 23, 2016, in a one-day special session, the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, and Gov. Pat McCrory signed it into law that evening. The law required multi-occupancy bathrooms and changing facilities in public schools and public agencies to be designated for use based on the sex stated on a person's birth certificate, and barred local governments from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances covering employment and public accommodations, nullifying Charlotte's LGBTQ-inclusive ordinance that had prompted the special session.

2015 Events (1)

February(1)

Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson allowed SB202 to become law without his signature, nullifying Fayetteville's LGBT ordinance

On February 24, 2015, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed SB202 to become Act 137 without his signature, barring Arkansas cities and counties from adopting nondiscrimination protections broader than state law. The measure nullified Fayetteville's LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance and preempted similar local measures statewide.

2014 Events (1)

February(1)

Indiana General Assembly passed amended HJR-3, a constitutional same-sex marriage ban

On January 28, 2014, the Indiana House of Representatives voted 57-40 to pass an amended version of House Joint Resolution 3, a proposed state constitutional amendment providing that "only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana," after first stripping a second sentence that would have also barred civil unions and domestic-partnership benefits. The Indiana Senate passed the same amended language 32-17 on February 17, 2014, completing the resolution's passage by the 2014 General Assembly; because Indiana requires an identically worded amendment to pass two separately elected General Assemblies before going to a public referendum, the change restarted that two-Assembly clock and the measure did not reach the 2014 ballot.

2012 Events (1)

March(1)

South Dakota Gov. Daugaard signed SB130, barring school anti-bullying policies from naming any protected classes

On March 16, 2012, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed SB130 (SL 2012, ch 96), requiring school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies while barring those policies — new or already in effect — from naming any protected classes of students. The enacted text compelled districts to strip any existing enumerated-category language, such as protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity, from their bullying policies.

2011 Events (4)

September(1)

North Carolina General Assembly passed SB514, referring same-sex marriage ban constitutional amendment to 2012 ballot

On September 13, 2011, the North Carolina Senate concurred with the House 30-16, completing General Assembly passage of Senate Bill 514, a constitutional amendment providing that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union valid or recognized in the state. The House had passed the measure 75-42 the day before; the bill was ratified as Session Law 2011-409 on September 14, 2011, referring the amendment to a May 8, 2012 statewide ballot.

May(1)

Minnesota Legislature passed SF1308, referring same-sex marriage ban to November 2012 ballot

On May 21, 2011, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted 70-62 to pass SF1308/HF1613, completing legislative approval after the Senate passed the measure 38-27 on May 11, 2011. The joint resolution proposed a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between one man and one woman and referred the question directly to the November 2012 general-election ballot, bypassing the governor's signature. The measure was filed with the Secretary of State as Chapter 88, Laws of 2011, on May 25, 2011.

April(1)

Arizona Gov. Brewer signed SB1188, giving adoption agencies a married-couple preference amid state ban on same-sex marriage

On April 18, 2011, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1188, amending A.R.S. § 8-103 to require licensed adoption agencies to give "primary consideration" to placement with "a married man and woman," with single-individual placement permitted only under enumerated exceptions. Because Arizona's constitution then banned same-sex marriage, no same-sex couple could ever qualify for the top preference tier, and ACLU attorneys publicly characterized the law as discrimination against gay couples via a marital-status proxy.

March(1)

Indiana Senate passed HJR 6, completing first-passage of anti-LGBTQ marriage constitutional amendment

On March 29, 2011, the Indiana Senate voted 40-10 to pass House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR 6), a proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and denying legal recognition to any "legal status identical or substantially similar" to marriage, thereby also barring civil unions and domestic partnerships. The Indiana House of Representatives had already passed the same resolution 70-26 on February 15, 2011, so the Senate vote completed passage of HJR 6 by the 2011 General Assembly.

2008 Events (2)

June(1)

Arizona Legislature referred SCR1042, a constitutional same-sex marriage ban, to voters

On June 27, 2008, the Arizona Senate concurred in House amendments and gave final passage to Senate Concurrent Resolution 1042, referring a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution (Article XXX) providing that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." The Senate had adopted the measure March 26, 2008 and the House passed it May 12, 2008; it was filed with the Secretary of State June 30, 2008 and went to voters as Proposition 102 that November.

March(1)

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed SB 299, preempting local civil-union and domestic-partnership registries statewide

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed S.B. 299 ("Revision to Local Government") on March 14, 2008, enacting Utah Code 10-8-1.5 and 17-50-324. The law permits municipalities to extend individual employment benefits to a "financially dependent or interdependent adult designee" but bars any county or municipal registry from defining, identifying, or recognizing a domestic partnership, civil union, or cohabitation relationship other than marriage, voiding inconsistent local ordinances such as Salt Lake City's concurrent registry.

2007 Events (3)

March(3)

South Carolina General Assembly ratified H.3063, enacting a constitutional same-sex marriage ban

On March 22, 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly ratified H.3063 (Act No. 7), formally enacting into the state constitution the amendment providing that marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union the state or its political subdivisions may create or recognize. The act completed a process begun with the legislature's 2005 referral of the amendment (HJR3133/Joint Resolution 45) and South Carolina voters' November 7, 2006 approval of it (77.97%-22.03%); no governor's signature was required for the ratification act.

Utah Gov. Huntsman signed HB 343, codifying married-couple preference that excluded same-sex couples from adoption and foster placement

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed H.B. 343 on March 14, 2007, codifying a married-couple preference and cohabitation-based bar into the state's adoption and foster-placement law. Because Utah did not recognize same-sex marriage in 2007, the marriage-based mechanism categorically excluded same-sex couples from the preferred adoption tier and from eligibility for joint foster placement, while leaving married opposite-sex couples and non-cohabiting single adults eligible. The law extended into statute a policy the Division of Child and Family Services had first adopted administratively in 1999.

Utah Gov. Huntsman signed Student Clubs Act requiring parental consent to join school clubs; sponsor said it targets gay-straight alliances

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed HB236, the Student Clubs Amendments ("Student Clubs Act"), into law on 2007-03-09, requiring written parental consent before a student may join any noncurricular club and letting school officials deny club authorization on vague grounds including protecting students' "moral well-being" and maintaining "socially appropriate" behavior. Chief House sponsor Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, said the bill "makes it easier for schools to deny noncurricular clubs like gay-straight alliances."

2006 Events (6)

July(1)

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt signed SB 894, barring school anti-bullying policies from naming protected student classes

On July 10, 2006, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 894, an education bill passed by the Missouri General Assembly requiring every school district to adopt an anti-bullying policy by September 1, 2007. The law barred those mandatory policies from containing "specific lists of protected classes of students," preventing districts from naming LGBT or other groups as specifically protected even as the underlying policy was made compulsory statewide.

May(1)

Georgia Gov. Perdue signed law requiring parental opt-out disclosure for school clubs, targeting Gay-Straight Alliances

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed SB 413 into law on May 5, 2006, an omnibus amendment to the state's compulsory school attendance statute that added new Code Section 20-2-705, requiring local school boards to publish every club's name, purpose, and faculty advisor in student codes of conduct and to give parents or guardians a form to decline their child's participation in any listed club. The provision followed the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance-type club (PRIDE) at White County High School, and contemporaneous reporting and the bill's legislative opponents identified it as aimed at disclosing and letting parents veto students' participation in LGBTQ-supportive clubs.

March(1)

Virginia General Assembly gave final passage to constitutional amendment banning recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions

On March 7, 2006, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 76-22 to give final approval to SJ92, completing the second of two required successive-session passages of a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between one man and one woman and barring recognition of any other union, partnership, or legal status carrying marriage-like rights or obligations. The measure, chief-patroned by Senator Stephen D. Newman, was sent to Virginia voters, who ratified it in November 2006 as the Marshall-Newman Amendment.

February(2)

Wisconsin Legislature gave final passage to constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage

On February 28, 2006, the Wisconsin Assembly voted 62-31, with six members paired, to concur in 2005 Senate Joint Resolution 53, completing the second required legislative passage of a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The Wisconsin Senate had adopted the resolution 19-14 on December 6, 2005. The Assembly's concurrence sent the amendment to the November 2006 general election ballot, where voters approved it and it took effect.

Idaho Legislature passed HJR002, referring constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and other unmarried unions to voters

The Idaho Legislature completed passage of House Joint Resolution 2 (HJR002) on February 15, 2006, referring a new Section 28 to Article III of the Idaho Constitution to voters, providing that "a marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state." The House passed the measure 53-17 on February 6, 2006, and the Senate gave final passage 26-9 on February 15, 2006, completing the legislature's referral.

January(1)

Wisconsin Gov. Doyle approved law banning state funds for gender-affirming care for transgender prisoners and forensic patients

On January 6, 2006, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle approved 2005 Assembly Bill 184, published as 2005 Wisconsin Act 105, which created Wis. Stat. § 302.386(5m) barring the Department of Corrections from using state funds, state resources, or state-administered federal funds to provide or facilitate hormone therapy or sexual reassignment surgery for prisoners or forensic patients. The Assembly had passed the bill 82-15 and the Senate concurred in 2005 before Doyle's approval completed its enactment.

2005 Events (9)

May(1)

Texas Legislature gave final passage to HJR 6, referring same-sex marriage and civil union constitutional ban to voters

On May 21, 2005, the Texas Senate passed House Joint Resolution 6 on a vote of 21 to 8, completing bicameral passage of the measure. The Texas House had passed the amended resolution 101 to 29 on April 25, 2005. HJR 6 proposed a state constitutional amendment declaring that marriage in Texas consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting the state or any political subdivision from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage for same-sex couples. The resolution was placed on the November 8, 2005 ballot as Proposition 2, where voters approved it by more than 76 percent.

April(1)

South Carolina Legislature completed passage of HJR3133, a constitutional same-sex marriage ban, referring it to voters

The South Carolina House passed H.3133 (A45, R51) 96-3 on March 1, 2005, proposing a constitutional amendment limiting lawful domestic unions to one man and one woman; the Senate amended and passed it 2005-04-14, and the House concurred in the Senate amendment and enrolled the bill on 2005-04-26, completing the General Assembly's referral of the amendment to voters. The measure was ratified 2005-04-28 without need for the governor's signature, and voters approved the resulting Amendment 1 on November 7, 2006.

March(3)

Indiana Senate and House passed SJR 7, first-passage constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage recognition

The Indiana Senate voted 42-8 on February 21, 2005 to pass Senate Joint Resolution 7, proposing a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and barring any law from being construed to confer marital status or its legal incidents on unmarried couples. The Indiana House of Representatives passed the identical text without amendment 76-23 on March 22, 2005 and returned it to the Senate, completing first passage by the 114th General Assembly.

Tennessee Legislature gave final passage to SJR0031, proposing constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

On March 17, 2005, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted 88-7-1 to concur with the Senate's prior passage of Senate Joint Resolution 31 (SJR0031), completing the second of two legislative sessions required under Tennessee's amendment process to send a proposed constitutional marriage ban to voters. The resolution defined marriage as "a contract between one man and one woman." Placed on the November 2006 ballot as Amendment 1, it was approved by approximately 81 percent of voters.

Alabama Legislature passed SB109, referring same-sex marriage constitutional ban to voters

On March 10, 2005, the Alabama Senate voted 30-0 to concur in House amendments to SB109, completing legislative passage of the "Sanctity of Marriage Amendment" two days after the House passed the amended bill 85-7 on March 8, 2005. The joint resolution-style act, sponsored by Sen. Hinton Mitchem, proposed a state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage licenses and denying recognition to any same-sex marriage, civil union, or common-law marriage formed under any jurisdiction's law, and referred the measure directly to the next statewide ballot.

February(4)

Virginia General Assembly gave first passage to HJ586, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and equivalent legal recognition

On February 26, 2005, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly adopted the conference committee report on HJ586, a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict marriage to one man and one woman and bar recognition of any comparable legal status. The House agreed to the conference report 79-17 and the Senate agreed 30-10, completing the first of two required legislative passages under Virginia's amendment process. The resolution was enacted as Chapter 946 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly, setting the stage for a second passage in the next session and a statewide referendum.

Virginia General Assembly completed first passage of SJ337, constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage recognition

On February 26, 2005, the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates both agreed to the conference report on SJ337, a proposed state constitutional amendment providing that only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage recognized by Virginia and barring the Commonwealth from recognizing any other union assigned the rights or effects of marriage. The vote completed the first of two required successive-session passages under Virginia's constitutional-amendment procedure; SJ337 was sponsored by Sen. Stephen D. Newman and was enacted as Chapter 949 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly.

South Dakota Legislature passed HJR1001, referring constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to voters

On February 14, 2005, the South Dakota Senate voted 20-15 to give final passage to House Joint Resolution 1001, completing the legislature's bicameral approval after the House passed it 53-16 on January 24, 2005. HJR1001, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Kraus and Sen. John Koskan, proposed a new amendment to Article XXI of the South Dakota Constitution restricting legal marriage to a man and a woman and referred it to voters at the next general election. South Dakota voters approved the resulting measure, Amendment C, on November 7, 2006.

Kansas Legislature referred SCR1601, a constitutional same-sex marriage ban, to voters

The Kansas Senate adopted 2005 Senate Concurrent Resolution 1601 28-11 on January 13, 2005, and the House of Representatives concurred 86-37 on February 2, 2005, completing the two-thirds supermajority required in both chambers to place a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage before voters. The amendment declared marriage a civil contract between one man and one woman, voided all other marriages, and barred state recognition of any other relationship as entitled to the rights or incidents of marriage; voters ratified it by roughly a 2-to-1 margin at the April 5, 2005 election.

2004 Events (12)

September(1)

Louisiana voters ratified HB61/Act 926, adding a same-sex marriage and civil union ban to the state constitution

On September 18, 2004, Louisiana voters approved Constitutional Amendment 1, originating as HB61 (Act No. 926), adding Article XII, Section 15 to the Louisiana Constitution. The amendment defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman and barred state and local recognition of any legal status substantially equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples, including civil unions.

May(3)

Missouri General Assembly passed SJR29, constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage

On May 14, 2004, the Missouri General Assembly gave final legislative passage to Senate Joint Resolution 29 (SJR29), sponsored by Sen. Sarah Steelman, proposing a constitutional amendment declaring that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be valid or recognized in Missouri and barring legal recognition of any status resembling marriage for unmarried persons. The Missouri Senate had passed SJR29 on March 1, 2004; the House passed it on May 14, 2004, and the measure was certified as "Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed," sending it to the ballot as Amendment 2. As a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, SJR29 bypassed the governor's signature and veto power entirely.

New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson signed SB 427, denying legal recognition to out-of-state same-sex marriages

On May 14, 2004, New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson signed Senate Bill 427 (Chapter 100, Laws of 2004), enacting a statutory bar to legal recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages in New Hampshire. The act repealed and reenacted RSA 457:3 to withhold legal validity from any out-of-state marriage prohibited under New Hampshire law — effectively targeting same-sex marriages from states such as Massachusetts, which had begun issuing same-sex marriage licenses three days later. The legislation also created a legislative-executive-judicial commission to study all aspects of same-sex civil marriage and its legal equivalents, with a final report due December 1, 2005.

Oklahoma enacted HB 1821, barring joint adoption by same-sex couples and blocking recognition of their out-of-state adoptions

On May 3, 2004, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed HB 1821, amending the state's Adoption Code to prohibit joint or second-parent adoption by more than one individual of the same sex and to require registration and judicial review of out-of-state adoption decrees, effectively barring Oklahoma from recognizing same-sex couple adoptions granted in other states. The bill passed the Oklahoma House 94-0 and the Oklahoma Senate 44-0 before reaching the governor, and took immediate effect under an emergency clause.

April(4)

Oklahoma Legislature referred HB2259, a constitutional same-sex marriage ban, to voters

The Oklahoma State Senate passed HB2259 38-7 on April 15, 2004, and the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 92-4 to concur on April 22, 2004, completing the Legislature's referral of State Question 711 — a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman only — to Oklahoma voters. The amendment barred recognition of any same-sex marriage performed in another jurisdiction and made it a misdemeanor to knowingly issue a marriage license in violation. Oklahoma voters approved SQ711 by approximately 76 percent on November 2, 2004.

Virginia General Assembly enacted Affirmation of Marriage Act, voiding same-sex civil unions and contractual rights

On April 21, 2004, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Affirmation of Marriage Act (HB 751), chief-patroned by Del. Robert G. Marshall, declaring that same-sex civil unions, partnership contracts, and any related contractual rights are void and unenforceable in Virginia. The enrolled bill passed the House 69–30 and the Senate 27–12 after Governor Mark Warner's recommendation to narrow the bill was rejected; it became law without the Governor's signature as Chapter 983 of the 2004 Acts of Assembly, effective July 1, 2004. The law voided not only civil unions created elsewhere but also private-contract rights — including domestic-partner benefits, hospital visitation agreements, and inheritance arrangements — that same-sex couples had established.

Mississippi Legislature passed HCR 56 proposing constitutional ban on same-sex marriage; enacted as Section 263-A

On April 14, 2004, the Mississippi Legislature completed passage of House Concurrent Resolution 56, enrolling a proposed constitutional amendment and referring it to the statewide ballot as Chapter 620. The resolution defined marriage as valid in Mississippi only between a man and a woman and declared same-gender marriages from other jurisdictions void and unenforceable, eventually ratified as Article XIV, Section 263-A of the Mississippi Constitution.

Kentucky General Assembly gave final passage to constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage recognition

On April 13, 2004, the Kentucky Senate voted 33-5 to concur in House amendments to SB 245, completing final legislative passage of a proposed constitutional amendment providing that only a marriage between one man and one woman is valid or recognized in Kentucky, and that no legal status substantially similar to marriage may be recognized for any other relationship. The Senate had initially passed the measure 33-4 on March 11, 2004, and the House passed it 85-11 on April 12, 2004. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Vernie McGaha (R-Russell Springs), was delivered to the Secretary of State as Acts Chapter 128 and placed on the November 2, 2004 general-election ballot, where voters ratified it as Constitutional Amendment 1 with approximately 75 percent in favor.

March(3)

Georgia General Assembly referred same-sex marriage and civil union ban to voters as constitutional amendment

On March 31, 2004, the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to Senate Resolution 595, referring a proposed constitutional amendment to the November 2004 ballot that would define marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman, bar state recognition of same-sex civil unions, and strip Georgia courts of jurisdiction over related claims. The Georgia House cast the decisive vote 122-52, clearing the required two-thirds supermajority, after the Senate had earlier passed the resolution by the same threshold. Georgia voters approved the measure as Amendment 1 on November 2, 2004, by a 76 percent to 24 percent margin.

Utah Gov. Olene Walker signed SB 24, banning state recognition of same-sex marriages and equivalent relationships

On March 23, 2004, Utah Governor Olene Walker signed S.B. 24, the "Marriage Recognition Policy," into law, effective the same day as Session Law Chapter 261. The bill, passed by the Utah Senate 24–4 and the Utah House 62–12, banned recognition of same-sex marriages and any relationship status "substantially equivalent" to marriage within Utah. The legislation was a statutory non-recognition provision distinct from the same-session HJR 025 constitutional referral, which sent Amendment 3 to voters.

Utah Legislature gave final passage to HJR025, proposing constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

On March 3, 2004, the Utah Legislature completed final passage of House Joint Resolution 25 (HJR025), proposing to add Article I, Section 29 to the Utah Constitution, defining marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman and prohibiting legal recognition of any other domestic union. The Utah Senate passed the resolution 20-7-2 on March 3, 2004, after adding a floor amendment, and the Utah House concurred 58-14-3 the same day. Referred to voters, it was approved as Amendment 3 on November 2, 2004, by a margin of 65.8% to 33.2%.

February(1)

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft signed HB 272, barring recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions

On February 6, 2004, Ohio Governor Bob Taft signed House Bill 272 into law, amending the Ohio Revised Code to declare same-sex marriages against state public policy, prohibit Ohio from recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages and civil unions, and bar the extension of marriage-like statutory benefits to nonmarital relationships. The Ohio House passed the bill 73–23 on December 10, 2003, and the Ohio Senate followed 18–15 on January 21, 2004. The law took effect on May 7, 2004, and remained in force until the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015.

2003 Events (1)

April(1)

North Dakota Gov. Hoeven signed SB 2188, shielding child-placing agencies that refuse placements on religious or moral grounds

On April 22, 2003, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven signed Senate Bill 2188 into law, enacting N.D.C.C. § 50-12-07.1, which bars the state from denying, revoking, or refusing to renew a license, grant, or contract to a child-placing agency that declines placements conflicting with its religious beliefs or moral convictions. The bill passed the 58th North Dakota Legislative Assembly with Senate votes of 45–2 and 41–3 (conference report) and a House vote of 72–18. North Dakota became one of the earliest states to codify a religious exemption for adoption and foster-care agencies, a model later adopted by several other states.