Marriage Equality
Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (HB 175):
Like many of you, I was heartbroken that we did not succeed in passing the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (HB 175/SB 116), sponsored by Delegate Kumar Barve and Senator Rob Garagiola, along with me and many others. Marriage provides hundreds of state-level protections and responsibilities and is essential to strengthening families and helping children, and the state has no business condoning discrimination. I have been a enthusiastic cosponsor and an outspoken supporter of this bill for many years. Never before has it passed the Senate of Maryland, and I will continue to work with sponsors and advocates of this bill until we pass it into law.