The issue focused on the possibility of a constitutional amendment, which would give states the authority to enact laws regulating marriage.

The state Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senate president pro-tempore Kevin deLeo (R-Lebanon), on Thursday passed SB 1162, a proposal by Sen. Jeff Leach (D-Lehigh Valley), who chairs the committee. It now goes to the full Senate, where it could be amended to permit the states to enact marriage-equality protections.

