Signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that recognizes civil unions in the state of Hawaii, beginning January 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a person to enter into a civil union if he or she is (Sec. 2):
• Not a partner in another civil union, a spouse in a marriage, or a party to a reciprocal beneficiary relationship;
• At least 18 years of age; and
• Not related to the other proposed partner in the civil union.

• Specifies that a civil union will become valid only upon completion of solemnization by a licensed person including any of the following (Sec. 2):
• Any judge or retired judge, including a federal judge or judge of another state who may legally join persons; or
• Any ordained or licensed member of the clergy.

• Establishes that any person solemnizing a civil union must first have obtained a license from the Department of Health (Sec. 2).

• Requires that those who lawfully enter into a civil union shall receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under the law as are granted to married couples (Sec. 2).

• Requires a party to a civil union to be included in any definition or use of the terms "spouse," "family," "immediate family," "dependent," "next of kin" and other terms that denote the spousal relationship (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that apply to a husband and wife shall also apply to partners in a civil union with the same force and effect as if they were "husband and wife" (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the family court of each circuit has jurisdiction over all proceedings related to the annulment, divorce, and separation of civil unions in the same manner as marriages (Sec. 6).

• This act is effective January 1, 2012, and sections pertaining to the Internal Revenue Code are applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that recognizes civil unions in the state of Hawaii, beginning January 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a person to enter into a civil union if he or she is (Sec. 2):
• Not a partner in another civil union, a spouse in a marriage, or a party to a reciprocal beneficiary relationship;
• At least 18 years of age; and
• Not related to the other proposed partner in the civil union.

• Specifies that a civil union will become valid only upon completion of solemnization by a licensed person including any of the following (Sec. 2):
• Any judge or retired judge, including a federal judge or judge of another state who may legally join persons; or
• Any ordained or licensed member of the clergy.

• Establishes that any person solemnizing a civil union must first have obtained a license from the Department of Health (Sec. 2).

• Requires that those who lawfully enter into a civil union shall receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities under the law as are granted to married couples (Sec. 2).

• Requires a party to a civil union to be included in any definition or use of the terms "spouse," "family," "immediate family," "dependent," "next of kin" and other terms that denote the spousal relationship (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that apply to a husband and wife shall also apply to partners in a civil union with the same force and effect as if they were "husband and wife" (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the family court of each circuit has jurisdiction over all proceedings related to the annulment, divorce, and separation of civil unions in the same manner as marriages (Sec. 6).

• This act is effective January 1, 2012, and sections pertaining to the Internal Revenue Code are applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that recognizes civil unions in the state of Hawaii, beginning January 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a person to enter into a civil union if he or she is (Sec. 2):
• Not a partner in another civil union, a spouse in a marriage, or a party to a reciprocal beneficiary relationship;
• At least 18 years of age; and
• Not related to the other proposed partner in the civil union.

• Specifies that a civil union will become valid only upon completion of a solemnization by a licensed person including the following (Sec. 2):
• Any judge or retired judge, including a federal judge or judge of another state who may legally join persons; or
• Any ordained or licensed member of the clergy.

• Establishes that any person solemnizing a civil union must first have obtained a license from the Department of Health (Sec. 2).

• Requires that those who lawfully enter into a civil union receive the same benefits, protections, and responsibilities as are granted to those who contract, obtain a license, and are solemnized (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text