Announcements

Connecticut JPs Walk the Walk

Not content to sit on the sidelines, Connecticut JPs took action to address problems related to JP appointments and the quality and oversight of officiants in the state (HB7150, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace). Several members of the Justice of the Peace Association took time out of their day to help members of the Planning and Development Committee better understand what officiating marriages is all about. Testimony included the need for training, improving the appointment process, developing systems to address illegal marriages (forced, trafficked and fraudulent), tracking the marriage status of couples and more.

Oral Testimony

JPus Managing Member Loretta Jay was joined by JPus members Jennifer Marshall Nealy, Anna Neumon and Katherine Vass speaking before the Planning and Development Committee on March 10, 2025. Recordings of their testimonies are visible below: Top left: Loretta Jay; top right: Jennifer Marshall Nealy. Bottom left: Anna Neumon; bottom right: Katherine Vass.

 

 

Written Testimony

We’re grateful to the JPs who submitted written testimony in support of HB7150.

In addition, Justice of the Peace Association Managing Member Loretta Jay; Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas; and Mark Bernacki from the Connecticut Town Clerk Association also submitted written testimony supporting the bill. Read all of the written testimony on the Connecticut General Assembly’s website.

Related Links

• How-to Testify in support of the bill, with written sample
• See the bill, HB7150, with highlighted sections related to JPs who perform marriages.
• The Justice of the Peace Association’s white paper
• The legislative backstory.
• Member Support article about how to advocate to support legislation

• See our template to guide your written and oral testimony
• Oral testimony can be by Zoom or in person. Maximum time allowed is three minutes, though legislators may ask you questions extending your time. Link to sign up is below.

Sign-up to speak or submit written testimony in Support of HB7150

• Register to speak in-person or by Zoom. Deadline to sign-up is 3PM Sunday. Three minute time limit. The speaker order is randomized and is released at 6PM on Sunday night.
• Submit your written testimony here. The hearing is on March 10, 2025 at 10:30AM. Indicate that you SUPPORT HB7150.

HB7150, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace

The Justice of the Peace Association worked with the state legislators who introduced the bill, along with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas on the language of the bill. This is the critical bill to address problems Connecticut JPs have reported:

• Establishing training and qualifications for JPs. The bill requires JPs to pass a test following their appointment. Training may be implemented, too.
• Inability to transfer JP appointments between municipalities. This will be addressed through a working group tasked with examining issues related to JPs.
• Favoritism and discrimination by DTCs and RTC impeding the appointment process. This will also be explored through the working group.
• Disparity toward unaffiliated and minor political party voters. The bill is a step in the right direction, creating a second window for non-major political party JPs to be appointed. JPus encourages testimony to support these vacant JP positions being filled at any time, not only during the two periods outlined in the legislation.
• Unbefitting JPs that make more work for town clerks and give professional JPs a bad name. This bill defines misconduct and establishes consequences for such behavior.

See the key points and the bill with highlighted language that relates to JPs who perform marriages.

Zoom Q&A, Two Sessions Scheduled Sunday: 9AM or 6PM

Questions? Join JPus’ Managing Member Loretta Jay on Sunday, March 9, 20025 at either 9AM or 6PM for more information about the proposed bill, guidance on how to submit written testimony and how to testify in person or by Zoom. Members and non-members are welcome.

• If you are on JPus’ email distribution list, please check your email for the Zoom links.
• If you don’t receive our emails yet, you can sign up here. A reminder will be sent on Sunday at 6AM with the link. If you missed that deadline, please email [email protected] to receive the Zoom links.

Related Links

• How-to Testify in support of the bill, with written sample
• See the bill, HB7150, with highlighted sections related to JPs who perform marriages.
• The Justice of the Peace Association’s white paper
• The legislative backstory.
• JPus 2023 Managing Member’s testimony to the Planning and Development Committee that summarizes the problem.
• Member Support article about how to advocate to support legislation