SB 30 Summary

• Creates a new legal relationship of civil union in Delaware for two individuals of the same sex, effective January 1, 2012.

• Parties to a civil union receive all the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities as married spouses under Delaware law, including property rights, inheritance, and tax benefits.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including both parties must be at least 18 years old, of the same sex, not related by blood, and not already in a marriage or civil union.

• Requires a civil union license issued by a Clerk of the Peace and a 24-hour waiting period before solemnization by authorized clergy, judges, or other officials; religious institutions cannot be required to perform ceremonies.

• Recognizes as valid civil unions legal same-sex unions entered into in other jurisdictions that meet Delaware's eligibility requirements, and allows civil unions to be dissolved using the same procedures as divorce under Delaware law.