AR HB2098

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-11-107 to exclude same-sex marriages from recognition of foreign marriages that would otherwise be valid under the laws where they were contracted.

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-11-109 to establish that marriage shall only be between a man and a woman, and declares marriages between persons of the same sex void.

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-11-208 to codify that Arkansas's public policy recognizes marital unions only between a man and a woman, prohibits issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and voids any same-sex marriages entered into under licenses from other states or foreign jurisdictions.

Allows employers to extend benefits to domestic partners of employees notwithstanding the prohibition on same-sex marriages.

References prior court decisions in Jernigan v. Crane (2014, 2015) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) that previously invalidated similar provisions.