Hawaii: House committees pass marriage equality bill onto the full House

After almost five full days of testimony from 5,182 citizens over 60 hours, the Hawaii House Judicial and Finance Committees have voted to pass the marriage equality bill currently being considered to the full House:

The committees added three amendments to the bill.

The first set the start date for December 2, 2013. The second removed section 572-C from the bill, which asserted parents’ rights and responsibilities including paternity, maternity, and parentage presumptions based on marriage. Lastly, the committee added religious protections similar to those included in Connecticut’s marriage equality law, protecting religious organizations from having to participate in the solemnization of a same-sex marriage.

The bill now advances to the House, where it is expected to pass, at least according to a whip count from two weeks ago.

Effective date has been changed to December 2, 2013. It now goes to the House floor for a second reading and full vote. If any amendments are introduced to the bill, House representatives will be given 48 hours to review those changes before a third and final vote on the floor.

(via Think Progress)