[JURIST] The New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 Thursday in favor a bill allowing same-sex civil unions [HB 437 text], sending the legislation on to Gov. John Lynch for signature. The bill, passed [JURIST report] by the state House of Representatives earlier this month, would authorize same-sex couples to enter into civil unions with "the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples." Lynch said last week that he will sign the legislation [JURIST report].

Currently, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey are the only states that recognize full civil unions. The Oregon House of Representatives approved a civil unions bill [JURIST report] earlier this month, and Washington's State Senate passed a domestic partnership bill [JURIST report] last month. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer said earlier this week that he would introduce legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in New York [JURIST report]. AP has more.