[JURIST] The Hawaii Senate voted 18-7 Friday in favor of legislation allowing same-sex civil unions. The act would confer upon homosexual and heterosexual couples rights and benefits equal to those afforded married couples in the state. Originally introduced last year, public notice requirements forced a vote on the matter to be delayed after an amendment was adopted one day prior to the close of the legislative session. The bill now returns to the House, though leaders indicate that they may decline to act on it if they do not have sufficient support to override a potential veto from Governor Linda Lingle.
The New Jersey Senate defeated legislation to allow same-sex marriage earlier this month, and the New York Senate did so in December. In November, Maine voters vetoed a same-sex marriage bill passed by that state’s legislature, while Washington voters approved expanded domestic partnership rights. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and is set to become legal in Washington DC, pending Congressional inaction. New Jersey has recognized same-sex civil unions since 2006.