Vermont Senate votes to remove slavery from constitution

The state Senate in Vermont - the first state to abolish adult slavery - has given preliminary approval to a proposal to amend the state constitution to remove references to slavery.

The Senate voted 28 to 1 on Wednesday.

The Vermont Constitution currently says no person 21 or older should serve as a slave unless bound by their own consent or "by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like."

The amendment would remove that language and add that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

Democratic Sen. Jeanette White says the change will make clear that Vermont is a state welcoming all.

Colorado voters last year approved a similar constitutional amendment, and Utah lawmakers are considering a comparable measure.