CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Former Senate Republican Leader Bob Clegg told The Associated Press on Thursday he will introduce legislation giving gays – and other adults who don’t choose to marry – the same legal rights as married couples.

Clegg, a conservative senator from Hudson, said all adults would be able to enter into “contractual cohabitation” agreements and receive the legal benefits married couples have in the state. Clegg was majority leader when Republicans controlled the Senate last session.

“Marriage is a religious ceremony,” said Clegg. “The bill is not just for gays and lesbians; it’s for anybody.”

Under his bill, two adults could go to a Justice of the Peace and affirm their decision to enter into a contract. The contract would be filed with the Secretary of State as are marriage licenses. Dissolving the unions would be similar to a divorce with the parties responsible financially for dependent children.

Employers would still have the option of recognizing the contract for health insurance and pension purposes, said Clegg.

Clegg released his bill to the AP while a hearing was in progress one floor up in the Statehouse on a proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

“I don’t believe we need to amend the constitution,” he said.

Clegg said he wasn’t sure he opposes same-sex marriage, but he wasn’t ready to approve it either. Other lawmakers plan to offer legislation allowing gays to enter into civil unions. Clegg said his bill would not only apply to gays and thus would not be civil union legislation.

“People want the same rights given any other couple,” he said. “This is my answer.”

Meanwhile, about 50 people attended a House hearing on whether to amend the constitution to limit marriage to a union between one woman and one man.

Critics argued it would enshrine discrimination in New Hampshire’s constitution.

But supporters testified their Christian rights were at risk if same-sex marriage isn’t stopped.

The House killed a similar proposal last year.