Marriage Equality is currently being debated in the Maryland State Senate. This is probably the toughest of the steps remaining to see Marriage Equality in the state of Maryland.
According to Voices @ the Washington Post, the following amendments have been dealt with this morning:
* Make it clear that religious organizations don't have to promote SSM in summer camps, education programs, etc. (Similar to clause in DC law): Passed Voice
* Fraternal Benefit Societies run by religious groups don't have offer marital benefits (Knights of Columbus is primary organization in this category, similar to VT law): Passed
* Religious Adoption Agencies don't have to provide services to same-sex couples: Failed (30-17)
* Change name of bill to "Same-Sex Marriage": Failed (28-19)
* Change name of bill from "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act." to "Civil Marriage Protection Act." Passed (26-21)
* Prohibit "Promotion" of SSM in public elementary schools: Failed (31-16)
The "Second Reader" vote was then passed 25-22 with 24D, 1R in favor and 11R, 11D opposed.
If this is filibustered, there will need to be 29 votes to close debate, but the Democratic Senate Majority Leader (who is opposed!) has said he can get the votes to close debate and the Republican Senate Minority Leader has said that there are currently no plans for a Filibuster.
If this passes, then the House will almost certainly strip one of their Marriage Equality bills already scheduled for a committee vote and replace the text with whatever the Senate passes, and unless something odd happens get it to the floor within a week or so. Everyone who has been counting noses has been more concerned about the Senate, which is why the Senate went first.
The Governor has made a general commitment to sign a Marriage Equality bill as soon as it reaches his desk.
At least at this point there haven't been any poison pill amendments that would cause much problem either in the house or with the governor.
However, don't start picking out wedding sites yet. Unlike California, this won't go into effect if enough signatures are gathered for a referendum at the next election. I'm unclear whether it would be at the next state-wide election (which would be the 2012 primary, which is not likely to include many contested Democratic primaries) or at the 2012 General Election in November.