Vote On Gay Marriage Ban Set For Tuesday

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(STATEHOUSE) - A House committee showdown over a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage is set for Tuesday.

Rules Committee Chairman Scott Pelath promises there will be a vote, but says he hasn't decided whether the amendment will be altered first. The second half of the amendment is intended to ban civil unions, but several companies, including Lilly and Cummins have come out against the proposal, saying it could keep them from offering domestic-partner benefits.

And the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence warns amendments in other states have made it harder to prosecute cases where the abuser and victim aren't married.

Pelath says he hasn't ruled out deleting the provision. Changing the amendment would probably mean at least a two-year delay in sending the proposal to voters for final approval, although Pelath and house speaker Patrick Bauer have contended it could still go to voters in 2008 if the first section remains intact.

Republicans are working on a separate statement of legislative intent. Pelath calls that maneuver "cute," but says it wouldn't solve the problem.

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