North Dakota debates updates to reflect gay marriage ruling

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota Legislative committee is still deciding whether to change the state constitution and update state law to reflect the U.S. Supreme Court's declaration that same-sex couples have the right to marry.

The Legislature's interim Judiciary Committee on Tuesday failed to reach a decision on whether changes should be adopted or the law left alone as a statement.

There are some 70 references in North Dakota law at present that define marriage as between a man and a woman. The laws cover everything from divorces to frog licenses.

The Supreme Court last June declared same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide.

In 2004, 73 percent of North Dakota voters approved a state constitutional amendment limiting marriage rights to man-woman couples.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

The Gayly- 3/22/2016 @ 10:41 AM CST