Governor Shares Draft Marriage Bill

Governor Neil Abercrombie. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Governor Neil Abercrombie provided state legislators with a marriage bill drafted by the state Department of the Attorney General this week.

The bill is based on Senate Bill 1369, introduced in the 2013 regular session, and was drafted in collaboration with legislators, staff and stakeholders, according to information released by the governor’s office.

In announcing the draft bill, the governor said he hopes to meet with the House and Senate leadership next week to discuss the possibility of a special session.

The purpose of the Act is to recognize marriages between individuals of the same sex in the state of Hawaii so that they can take full advantage of federal benefits and protections granted to married couples of the opposite-sex.