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Gov. Brown Finalizes Repeal Of Marriage Definition 'Between A Man & A Woman'

LOS ANGELES (AP/CBSLA.com) — California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation replacing language in state law that defines marriage as "between a man and a woman."

Brown announced the signing Monday of Senate Bill 1306, which repeals an existing provision of the California Constitution that states that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in this state.

That provision has been held unenforceable by both the California and U.S. Supreme Courts.

The law also removes limits on recognizing same-sex marriages performed out of state and replaces family code references to husband and wife with the word spouse.

The language was enacted after voters approved Proposition 22 in 2000. The initiative was struck down by the California Supreme Court in 2008, prompting voters to amend the constitution and ban gay marriage.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision ruling the ban unconstitutional. Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco says his bill recognizes all married couples equally.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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