Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo

ASSEMBLY PASSES CARABALLO BILL TO PERMIT
STATE-RECOGNIZED CIVIL UNIONS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES
Measure Would Meet State Supreme Court's Mandate
Requiring Equal Protection for Same-Sex Unions

(TRENTON) -- Legislation Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Wilfredo Caraballo sponsored to permit committed same-sex couples to enter into civil unions that grant them the same rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples was passed today by the General Assembly.If signed into law, New Jersey would become the third state to establish a formal civil union construct for same-sex couples, joining Vermont and Connecticut. Only Massachusetts allows same-sex couples the ability to marry. Approximately 20,000 same-sex couples live in New Jersey.

"Same-sex couples who have made a commitment to spend their lives together deserve the same rights, privileges, and benefits that married couples have enjoyed for generations," said Caraballo (D-Essex). "Gay and lesbian couples are a fundamental and vibrant thread in the fabric of New Jersey. This is an issue of meeting their basic human rights to equal protection, dignity, and full recognition."

The Caraballo measure (A-3787) was crafted in response to the state Supreme Court's October 25 ruling that found the state Constitution affords same-sex couples the same rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex couples under the state’s marriage statutes. The Supreme Court gave the Legislature 180 days to amend state law to meet the ruling’s mandate.

“The state Supreme Court set an incredible precedent in ordering the Legislature to take action to recognize same-sex unions,� said Caraballo. "But we will not compromise the constitution's spirit that all couples -- straight and gay -- deserve equal protection under law."

The bill would amend current law to include civil unions for same-sex couples. As a result of the measure, same-sex couples would receive the same rights as married couples when it comes to issues such as health insurance, inheritance, and family leave, among other areas.

The measure also would establish a 13-member New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission that would be charged with evaluating the implementation of the measure, determining whether additional legal protections might be needed.

"For a state as progressive and tolerant as ours, providing same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into civil unions is long overdue," said Caraballo. "We can no longer tolerate a system that essentially says that because of sexual orientation, one family is more valuable to society than another. Same-sex couples who share a commitment with each other must treated fairly and equally under the law."

The bill passed 56-19 with five abstentions. Pending passage of the measure by the Senate, which also has scheduled a vote today, it would head to the Governor.

Governor Corzine has signaled his intention to sign the bill into law.

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For Release:
December 14, 2006

Contact:
Assemblyman Caraballo
(973) 350-0048
Derek Roseman
(609) 292-7065