WA Legislature OKs out-of-state same-sex unions

Published January 13, 2015

The state Legislature has approved a measure that would make Washington the fourth in the country to recognize out-of-state domestic partnerships.

On a 28-19 vote, the Washington Senate cleared the last hurdle for the bill, which now heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire for a signature.

Under the measure, gay marriages performed elsewhere would be recognized as domestic partnerships in Washington, as would domestic partnerships performed in other states.

Currently, five states, the District of Columbia and Canada allow same-sex marriages. With Gregoire's signature, Washington would become the fourth state to approve a similar bill, following Rhode Island, New York and Maryland.

The measure enjoyed wide support among Democrats. It passed the House 58-39, mostly on party-line votes.

In the Senate, four Republicans voted for the measure.

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