The Pennsylvania House passed House Bill 1800 by a 127-72 vote today, moving to change the state’s definition of marriage to a contract between two individuals.

In addition to repealing a section of Pennsylvania law that defines marriage as only being between a man and a woman, the bill would also remove a section from current legislation stating that if a same-sex marriage happens in another state, it would be void in Pennsylvania.

“It is about a covenant that is deep and meaningful, and the one that I share, and thousands of Pennsylvanians share is deep and meaningful,” said Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia, who sponsored the bill. “So, marriage is not symbolic. They are legal, they are practical. There are financial things connected to the institution of marriage.”

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Pennsylvania since May 20, 2014, when the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania ruled that the state’s statutory ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Pennsylvania lawmakers have previously moved to codify same-sex marriage, passing a marriage equality bill in 2024 for the first time in the commonwealth’s history.

“Here in Pennsylvania, we believe in your freedom to marry who you love. Today, the House has stepped up to protect that right,” Governor Josh Shapiro of Abington Township said in a post.

The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it is unclear whether lawmakers will take up the proposal and vote on it.

House Bill 1800 is below:

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