Maryland Senate committee approves same-sex marriage bill

Legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages in Maryland appeared headed for passage in the state Senate after winning approval Thursday from a key committee and the backing of a Prince George's senator who had withheld his support.

A 7 to 4 vote by the Judicial Proceedings Committee sends the bill to the Senate floor, where a lengthy and emotional debate is expected next week on the most high-profile social issue of the 90-day session.

Although the vote in the full Senate is expected to be close, leadership of both parties on Thursday predicted passage. The legislation would then move to the House of Delegates, traditionally the more liberal chamber on social policy.

"I think they're going to pull it out," conceded Senate Minority Leader Nancy C. Jacobs (R-Harford), one of the four committee members who opposed the bill, which would remove Maryland's requirement that marriages be between a man and a woman.

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