(April 21, 2004) -- A bill co-authored by Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza (D, LB-Carson) that would prohibit denial of marriage licenses by the State of CA to gay and lesbian couples has passed the Assembly Judiciary Committe.

AB 1967 would enact the "California Marriage License Nondiscrimination Act," providing that marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons. (Current CA law specifies that marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman...and provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in CA).

AB 1967 was introduced by Assemblymembers Leno, Goldberg, Kehoe, Laird, and Lieber. Its principal co-author is State Senator Sheila Kuehl. Assembly co-authors are Assemblymembers Chan, Dymally, Firebaugh, Hancock, Koretz, Levine, Longville, Montanez, Nation, Oropeza, Simitian, Steinberg, Wiggins and Yee.

For details: Reuters: Bill to Legalize Gay Marriage Passes Calif. Panel