Text of Finneran's amendment

The text of an amendment proposed by House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, which was rejected yesterday by a 100-98 vote.

It being the public policy of this Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts.

This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws not inconsistent with anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this article, including but not limited to, the enactment of laws establishing civil unions as may be defined by the General Court from time to time."