Domestic partners case sent back to Wisconsin appeals court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declined to take up a case challenging the state's domestic partnership law until an appeals court has heard the case.

The law created Wisconsin's Domestic Partnership Registry. A Dane County judge ruled last year that the law does not violate the Marriage Amendment to the state constitution.

In July, an appeals court asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the legislation violated the amendment by creating a legal status similar to marriage for unmarried people.

But the court declined the request, sending the case back to the appellate court for a hearing.

The court did not say why it refused to take the case.

The Legislature established the registry in 2009. Members of Wisconsin Family Action challenged it in court.

RRStar