The full state legislature has approved granting same-sex couples equivalent rights enjoyed by heterosexual marrieds. The Civil Union Bill, said to be almost identical to a bill which passed the lower House last month, passed 79-68, picking up three more votes than that lower House version.
And the bill could have wide implications around the country, even where some states have defined marriage officially as between man and woman. Moreover, it didn't feature an amendment requiring state residency for granting civil unions - meaning those out of state can have civil unions performed in Vermont and ask their home states to recognize it, if the bill becomes law.
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has promised repeatedly to sign the bill. If he does, among other things, it means gay couples can demand their civil union be accepted in other states, as driver's licenses are accepted. This can be done even in California, say published reports, where Proposition 22 defines marriage as between members of the opposite sexes only.
If Dean signs the bill as expected, this bill will go into effect July 1. The first versions of the bill called to put it into effect Sept. 1.
