S.B. No. 7




AN ACT



relating to the recognition of a same-sex marriage or
a civil union.


	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:


	SECTION 1.   Subchapter C, Chapter 6, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 6.204 to read as follows:


	Sec. 6.204.  RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE OR
CIVIL UNION.  (a)  In this section, "civil union" means
any relationship status other than marriage that:


		(1)  is intended as an alternative to marriage or
applies primarily to cohabitating persons; and


		(2)  grants to the parties of the relationship legal
protections, benefits, or responsibilities granted
to the spouses of a marriage.


	(b)  A marriage between persons of the same sex or
a civil union is contrary to the public policy of this
state and is void in this state.


	(c)  The state or an agency or political subdivision
of the state may not give effect to a:


		(1)  public act, record, or judicial proceeding that
creates, recognizes, or validates a marriage between
persons of the same sex or a civil union in this state
or in any other jurisdiction; or


		(2)  right or claim to any legal protection, benefit,
or responsibility asserted as a result of a marriage
between persons of the same sex or a civil union in
this state or in any other jurisdiction.


	SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that through the designation
of guardians, the appointment of agents, and the use
of private contracts persons may adequately and properly
appoint guardians and arrange rights relating to hospital
visitation, property, and the entitlement to proceeds
of life insurance policies without the existence of
any legally recognized familial relationship between
the persons.


	SECTION 3.  This Act applies to a same-sex marriage
or a civil union regardless of whether the marriage
or civil union was entered into before, on, or after
the effective date of this Act.


	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected
to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III,
Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the
vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
effect September 1, 2003.



______________________________		______________________________




President of the Senate        
    Speaker of the House



	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 7 passed the Senate on
April 15, 2003, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate
concurred in House amendments on May 13, 2003, by a
viva-voce vote.




______________________________


    Secretary of the Senate


	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 7 passed the House, with
amendments, on April 30, 2003, by the following vote:
 Yeas 118, Nays 9, three present not voting.


______________________________


    Chief Clerk of the House


Approved:


______________________________


             Date


______________________________


           Governor