The Maryland Senate is expected to vote Thursday evening on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.
If the bill passes without amendments, it will go to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who has committed to sign it into law, making Maryland the eighth state to allow same-sex unions.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s counties, said he expects the bill to pass his chamber. The Senate passed a similar bill last year 25-21.
In Thursday morning’s session, the legislative body rejected several amendments brought by the bill’s opponents. Those who want the bill to pass have warned that any amendment will send return the bill to the House of Delegates, where it narrowly passed last week.
Miller said he expects to see more amendments proposed when the Senate reconvenes at 4 p.m., including one that would change the bill to recognize “civil unions,” rather than marriage, and another that allows for religious exceptions.
If the bill passes, opponents have vowed to bring it to a referendum on the November ballot.
