Pennsylvania Sex Laws
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/Public/cons_index.cfm
Last update: 9/7/2014
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TITLE 23
DOMESTIC RELATIONS
PART II. MARRIAGE
Chapter 17. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Marriage
§ 1704. Marriage between persons of the same sex.
It is hereby declared to be the strong and longstanding public policy of this Commonwealth that marriage shall be between one man and one woman. A marriage between persons of the same sex which was entered into in another state or foreign jurisdiction, even if valid where entered into, shall be void in this Commonwealth.
(Oct. 16, 1996, P.L.706, No.124, eff. 60 days)
1996 Amendment. Act 124 added section 1704.
From:
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/marriage-rulings-in-the-courts
Whitewood v. Wolf
5/20/14 • Federal Court Ruling
Federal court decision declaring that same-sex couples in PA have the freedom to marry and that marriages legally performed in other states must be respected. No party appealed, and the freedom to marry took effect in Pennsylvania.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Pennsylvania on May 20, 2014 after U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones III ruled in Whitewood v. Wolf that the state's statutory ban on such marriages was unconstitutional.[87] After the ACLU filed the lawsuit in federal court on July 9, 2013, Attorney General Kathleen Kane said she would refuse to defend the statute.[88] There is currently no stay and the Governor of Pennsylvania will not appeal the decision.
Texts :
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes - Title 23 Domestic
Relations - Chapter 17. Miscellaneous provisions relating to marriage
§ 1704. Marriage between persons of the same sex. It is
hereby declared to be the strong and longstanding public policy of this
Commonwealth that marriage shall be between one man and one woman. A marriage
between persons of the same sex which was entered into in another state or
foreign jurisdiction, even if valid where entered into, shall be void in this
Commonwealth.
Marriage licenses and jurisdictional recognition for same-sex couples are both available.
Title 18
CRIMES AND OFFENSES
Chapter 32. Abortion
§ 3208.1. Commonwealth interference prohibited.
The Commonwealth shall not interfere with the use of medically appropriate methods of contraception or the manner in which medically appropriate methods of contraception are provided.
(Nov. 17, 1989, P.L.592, No.64, eff. 60 days)
1989 Amendment. Act 64 added section 3208.1
Title 15
CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 91. Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations
§ 9112. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Nonprofit association." An unincorporated organization consisting of two or more members joined together under an agreement that is oral, in record form or implied from conduct for one or more common, nonprofit purposes. The term does not include:
…
(2) a marriage, domestic partnership, common law domestic relationship, civil union or other domestic living arrangement;
…
(4) a joint tenancy, tenancy in common or tenancy by the entireties, even if the co-owners share use of the property for a nonprofit purpose;
This was the only reference to “civil unions” or “domestic partnership” I could find. I’m not sure what to make of this.
TITLE 23
DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Chapter 33. Dissolution of Marital Status
Subchapter A. General Provisions
§ 3301. Grounds for divorce.
(a) Fault.--The court may grant a divorce to the innocent and injured spouse whenever it is judged that the other spouse has:
…
(2) Committed adultery.