House committee vote for ban on gay marriage could be close

by Steven T. Dennis
Staff Writer

Mar. 4, 2004
ANNAPOLIS -- A bill intended to ban same-sex marriages performed in other states from being recognized in Maryland is expected to be voted on this week after a state attorney general's opinion found the law unnecessary.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Dist. 27A) of Upper Marlboro said he does not support the bill proposed by Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr. (D-Dist. 10) of Woodlawn, citing the opinion that state law already prohibits gay marriage. But Vallario said he expects the vote in his committee to be close.