SB 100: AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO MARRY.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

This Act is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution establishing that the right to marry is a fundamental right that may not be denied or abridged on the basis of gender or any basis protected under Art. 1, § 21 of the Delaware Constitution, which provides equal protection under the law on account of race, color, national origin, and sex. Under this Act, all marriages that are legally valid under the laws of this State must be treated equally, including under all laws that are applicable to marriage, married spouses, or the children of married spouses. This Act also clarifies that the right to marry does not infringe upon the right to freedom of religion under Art. 1, § 1 of the Delaware Constitution. Like Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 100, Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 100 differs from Senate Bill No. 100 by explicitly connecting the right to marry with the equality of rights provided under Art. 1, § 21 of the Delaware Constitution on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex. In addition, Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 100 differs from Senate Bill No. 100 as follows: • Clarifies that the right to marry applies to marriages that are legally valid under the laws of this State. • Clarifies that treating all legally valid marriages equally means that all laws of this State that are applicable to marriage, married spouses, or the children of married spouses apply equally to marriages that are legally valid under the laws of this State. • Removes the need for gender-specific provisions by including gender in the first sentence. • Revises the language clarifying that the right to marry does not infringe on the right to freedom of religion under Art. 1, § 1 of the Delaware Constitution to apply to the entire section and to remove the example. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the Delaware Constitution.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 25

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 30, 2026Passed By House. Votes: 28 YES 12 NO 1 ABSENT
2. June 30, 2026Roll Call Rescinded in House
3. June 30, 2026Restored in House
4. June 23, 2026Defeated By House. Votes: 24 YES 3 NO 14 NOT VOTING
5. March 11, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 On Its Merits
6. June 11, 2025Assigned to Administration Committee in House
7. June 10, 2025Passed By Senate. Votes: 16 YES 5 NO
8. June 5, 2025was introduced and adopted in lieu of SB 100