S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8520
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 24, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL -- (at request of the Governor) -- read
once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to the ability
to marry; and to amend a chapter of the laws of 2011, amending the
domestic relations law relating to the ability to marry, as proposed
in legislative bill number A. 8354, in relation to the statutory
construction of such chapter; and repealing certain provisions of the
domestic relations law relating to parties to a marriage
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Section 10-b of the domestic relations law, as added by a
2 chapter of the laws of 2011, amending the domestic relations law relat-
3 ing to the ability to marry, as proposed in legislative bill number A.
4 8354, is REPEALED and a new section 10-b is added to read as follows:
5 S 10-B. RELIGIOUS EXCEPTION. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATE, LOCAL OR
6 MUNICIPAL LAW, RULE, REGULATION, ORDINANCE, OR OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO
7 THE CONTRARY, A RELIGIOUS ENTITY AS DEFINED UNDER THE EDUCATION LAW OR
8 SECTION TWO OF THE RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS LAW, OR A CORPORATION INCORPO-
9 RATED UNDER THE BENEVOLENT ORDERS LAW OR DESCRIBED IN THE BENEVOLENT
10 ORDERS LAW BUT FORMED UNDER ANY OTHER LAW OF THIS STATE, OR A
11 NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION OPERATED, SUPERVISED, OR CONTROLLED BY A
12 RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, OR ANY EMPLOYEE THEREOF, BEING MANAGED, DIRECTED,
13 OR SUPERVISED BY OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH A RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, BENEVO-
14 LENT ORDER, OR A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBDI-
15 VISION, SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICES, ACCOMMODATIONS,
16 ADVANTAGES, FACILITIES, GOODS, OR PRIVILEGES FOR THE SOLEMNIZATION OR
17 CELEBRATION OF A MARRIAGE. ANY SUCH REFUSAL TO PROVIDE SERVICES, ACCOM-
18 MODATIONS, ADVANTAGES, FACILITIES, GOODS, OR PRIVILEGES SHALL NOT CREATE
19 ANY CIVIL CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION OR RESULT IN ANY STATE OR LOCAL
20 GOVERNMENT ACTION TO PENALIZE, WITHHOLD BENEFITS, OR DISCRIMINATE
21 AGAINST SUCH RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, BENEVOLENT ORDER, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD12066-08-1
A. 8520 2
1 CORPORATION OPERATED, SUPERVISED, OR CONTROLLED BY A RELIGIOUS CORPO-
2 RATION, OR ANY EMPLOYEE THEREOF BEING MANAGED, DIRECTED, OR SUPERVISED
3 BY OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH A RELIGIOUS CORPORATION, BENEVOLENT ORDER, OR
4 A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION.
5 2. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATE, LOCAL OR MUNICIPAL LAW OR RULE, REGU-
6 LATION, ORDINANCE, OR OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, NOTHING IN
7 THIS ARTICLE SHALL LIMIT OR DIMINISH THE RIGHT, PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
8 ELEVEN OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, OF ANY
9 RELIGIOUS OR DENOMINATIONAL INSTITUTION OR ORGANIZATION, OR ANY ORGAN-
10 IZATION OPERATED FOR CHARITABLE OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, WHICH IS OPER-
11 ATED, SUPERVISED OR CONTROLLED BY OR IN CONNECTION WITH A RELIGIOUS
12 ORGANIZATION, TO LIMIT EMPLOYMENT OR SALES OR RENTAL OF HOUSING ACCOMMO-
13 DATIONS OR ADMISSION TO OR GIVE PREFERENCE TO PERSONS OF THE SAME RELI-
14 GION OR DENOMINATION OR FROM TAKING SUCH ACTION AS IS CALCULATED BY SUCH
15 ORGANIZATION TO PROMOTE THE RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES FOR WHICH IT IS ESTAB-
16 LISHED OR MAINTAINED.
17 3. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED OR CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE
18 PROTECTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
19 UNDER SECTION THREE OF ARTICLE ONE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
20 NEW YORK.
21 S 2. Subdivision 1-a of section 11 of the domestic relations law, as
22 added by a chapter of the laws of 2011, amending the domestic relations
23 law relating to the ability to marry, as proposed in legislative bill
24 number A.8354, is amended to read as follows:
25 1-a. A refusal by a clergyman or minister as defined in section two of
26 the religious corporations law, or Society for Ethical Culture leader to
27 solemnize any marriage under this subdivision shall not create a civil
28 claim or cause of action OR RESULT IN ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
29 ACTION TO PENALIZE, WITHHOLD BENEFITS OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SUCH CLER-
30 GYMAN OR MINISTER.
31 S 3. A chapter of the laws of 2011, amending the domestic relations
32 law relating to the ability to marry, as proposed in legislative bill
33 number A. 8354, is amended by adding a new section 5-a to read as
34 follows:
35 S 5-A. THIS ACT IS TO BE CONSTRUED AS A WHOLE, AND ALL PARTS OF IT ARE
36 TO BE READ AND CONSTRUED TOGETHER. IF ANY PART OF THIS ACT SHALL BE
37 ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE INVALID, THE
38 REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL BE INVALIDATED. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE
39 CONSTRUED TO AFFECT THE PARTIES' RIGHT TO APPEAL THE MATTER.
40 S 4. This act shall take effect on the same date as such chapter of
41 the laws of 2011, takes effect.
Attached is a statement of the Catholic Bishops of New York State regarding the vote in the state Senate this evening to redefine marriage.
June 24, 2011
Statement of the Bishops of New York State
The passage by the Legislature of a bill to alter radically and forever humanity’s
historic understanding of marriage leaves us deeply disappointed and troubled.
We strongly uphold the Catholic Church’s clear teaching that we always treat
our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, dignity and love. But we
just as strongly affirm that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman
in a lifelong, loving union that is open to children, ordered for the good
of those children and the spouses themselves. This definition cannot change,
though we realize that our beliefs about the nature of marriage will continue
to be ridiculed, and that some will even now attempt to enact government sanctions
against churches and religious organizations that preach these timeless truths.
We worry that both marriage and the family will be undermined by this tragic
presumption of government in passing this legislation that attempts to redefine
these cornerstones of civilization.
Our society must regain what it appears to have lost – a true understanding of the meaning and the place of marriage, as revealed by God, grounded in nature, and respected by America’s
foundational principles.
+Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York
+Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany
+Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn
+Edward U. Kmiec, Bishop of Buffalo
+Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg
+Matthew H. Clark, Bishop of Rochester
+William F. Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre
+Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop of Syracuse