On Nov. 20, 2006, I devoted my column (headlined “Separate, but Not Equal,” 29 PLW 1310) to the New Jersey Supreme Court opinion Lewis v. Harris, 908 A.2d 196 (2006) directing that, within 180 days, the state legislature had to either amend the marriage statutes or enact an appropriate statutory structure so that committed same-sex couples were provided the full rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
The high court’s directive to the legislature came down on Oct. 25, 2006, and on Dec. 6, 2006, legislation was introduced to the Assembly, went through a number of amendments and revisions and on Dec. 14, 2006, both houses approved and passed the legislation. On December 21, 2006, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law legislation that permits civil unions between same-sex couples. The new legislation provides that same-sex couples apply for a civil union license and participate in a civil union ceremony will enjoy the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples who choose to marry.
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