The New Hampshire Legislature will pass new language to offer additional protections to religious communities.
It's been posted to MyDD's front page that a tweet from AP's Phil Elliot says that Lynch is willing to sign a marriage bill, if the NH Legislature passes new language strengthening religious protections.
Lynch's statement is copied in whole on the MyDD link, but the key sentences are posted after the jump, and there is a link to the language Lynch wants added, as well.
"This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.
"This new language will provide the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions. It will make clear that they cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles.
"If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn't pass these provisions, I will veto it.
Apparently, Lynch perceives that neighboring states which have enacted same sex marriage have also offered stronger language protecting the rights of churches, and he's asked the New Hampshire legislature to add that language to the bill.
The language Lynch wants added to the bill is found on NHPR's website; the first of four articles:
I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, association, or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to an individual if such request for such services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges is related to the solemnization of a marriage, the celebration of a marriage, or the promotion of marriage through religious counseling, programs, courses, retreats, or housing designated for married individuals, and such solemnization, celebration, or promotion of marriage is in violation of their religious beliefs and faith. Any refusal to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges in accordance with this section shall not create any civil claim or cause of action or result in any state action to penalize or withhold benefits from such religious organization, association or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society.