Photo by Pappa91.

The Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a public hearing today on the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act” — one of the most important milestones to date for legislation which could find Maryland joining five other states and the District of Columbia in granting licenses for same-sex marriages.

Bills which would allow same-sex marriage in the Old Line State were concurrently introduced in the state’s House and Senate late in January, and many observers believe that the laws will pass, potentially in an early vote. In a poll released on January 25, 51 percent of respondents said that they would favor legislation allowing same-sex marriage laws allowing shared tax exemptions, inheritance and pension coverage. 44 percent of those polled were opposed.

18 Senators and nearly five dozen Delegates co-sponsored the twin bills — the legislation is expected to be massaged to passage by a friendly political atmosphere, including Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers and Governor Martin O’Malley, who has repeatedly indicated he would sign such a bill into law. A recent Washington Post report found that the bill’s passage will likely hinge on getting the support of four of six undecided Senators, two of whom (Ulysses Currie and James C. Rosapepe) represent Prince George’s County.