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.
- David Bedell
- Dale Kroop
- Laura Minor
- Anna Neumon
- Kathleen Taylor
- Katherine Vass
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