Ohio bill seeks to clarify domestic violence law in light of marriage ban

A bill in the Ohio house seeks to clarify the state's domestic violence law in the wake of a recently voter-approved state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The bill, sponsored by Rep. William J. Healy II, would change the wording of the domestic violence law to replace the phrases "spouse" and "a person living with a spouse" with "any person who is residing with the offender." The marriage amendment bars the state from granting legal status to unmarried couples--straight or gay. Healy says some judges said the amendment meant domestic violence law no longer could apply to unmarried couples. The amendment's prime architect, Phil Burress, says he supports the change to the domestic violence law. (AP)