On 25 February 2016, the bill was approved by the Italian Senate in a 173-71 vote. The law provides same-sex couples with most of the rights of marriage except parenting (stepchild or joint adoption) and reproductive rights (IVF for lesbian couples). The bill passed to the Chamber of Deputies where a vote was expected no earlier than mid-May. On 8 March, the Justice Committee of the Chamber of Deputies started discussing the bill. During the nocturnal session of 19–20 April, the Committee sent the bill to the floor for the general debate. On 27 April, House parties' speakers decided to start the debate on 9 May and to end it on 12 May. On 11 May, the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill by 372 to 51 votes in favour, with 99 abstentions. It was subsequently signed by President Sergio Mattarella on 20 May. The law was published in the official gazette on 21 May and took effect on 5 June 2016. On 21 July, the Italian Council of State approved a government decree setting civil union registries across the country, allowing the first civil unions to be registered in Italy in the upcoming days. On 24 July, the first same-sex couple entered into a civil union, in Castel San Pietro Terme, near Bologna.