Md. Panel Advances Marriage Bill

The Maryland senate judicial proceedings committee voted 7-4 to legalize marriage equality, advancing the proposed bill to the full senate next week.

The Baltimore Sun reports that senate president Thomas V. Mike Miller told his colleagues to keep a flexible schedule next week to allow for the anticipated lengthy debate. He said the final vote would be February 28.

Twenty-three senators have shown their support of the bill, and one, Baltimore's Joan Carter Conway, said she would be the tie-breaking vote if necessary. Twenty-four votes are needed to pass the bill.

The house will debate its version of the legislation February 25.