Sign-on to Tell NH Lawmakers – End Child Marriage!
The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on SB359, a bill to end child marriage in the state. All New Hampshire residents are invited to sign onto JPus’ letter in support of the bill.
- Read JPus’ Letter to the Judiciary Committee urging the passage of this bill.
- Add your name to our list of supporters and sign onto JPus’ letter
NH residents can also testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee: In-person on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9:15, Room 100 of the State House. If you will be testifying, please let JPus know so we can coordinate efforts.
Related Links
- Read about efforts to end child marriage in New Hampshire
- Information about our advocacy and partnerships for officiants about child and forced marriage.
- Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage
- JPus has been on the forefront of legislative activity to end child marriage in other states
- Follow our state-by-state changes to marriage laws
- How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage
- Working with our partners amplifies our voice and helps achieve our goals
Fees – Survey Results
What do you charge to perform a marriage ceremony?
That was the question posed by the Justice of the Peace Association in its anonymous survey of marriage officiants.
Low Range
High Range
Related Links
- Most of the work officiants do is hidden, like an iceberg
- Check out our member support article with guidance on determining how much to charge
- JPus Code of Ethics
CT JP Appointments ~ Strategy Session
Brainstorming
On October 10, 2023, Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas met with JPus managing member Loretta Jay, State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Fairfield, Bridgeport) and SOTS chief of staff, Gabe Rosenberg to develop a strategy to professionalize the role of JPs in the state.
Discussions focused on the importance of training, protecting vulnerable citizens and fairness of the appointment process. Potential partners were identified and marching orders established. Onward!
Related Links
- Efforts to address problems with JP appointments in Connecticut
- Read JPus’ white paper, Civil Marriage Officiants in Connecticut: Solutions to Unburden the JP Appointment Process
- See JPus’s survey results about officiant qualifications and appointments
- See how JPus is advocating to address the problems with amateur officiants
- Learn about the JP and notary role, state-by-state
- We advocate on other marriage-related issues
CT Ends Child Marriage!
Ninth State in the US
It is fitting that after championing an end to child marriage in Connecticut, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz was the one who signed the bill that protects children from marriage before they have legal protections. The Justice of the Peace Association is thrilled that its managing member, Loretta Jay, was invited to partake in the momentous occasion. This is an important recognition that our membership’s voice was heard, standing together, professional marriage officiants.
Related Links
- See JPus’ legislative activity to end child marriage in Connecticut
- Watch our online panel discussion with Connecticut leaders about child marriage.
- Landing page for JPus activity involving child marriage in all of our states.
- Follow our state-by-state changes to marriage laws
- Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage
- How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage.
- Our partnerships with other organizations amplifies our voice.
CT Chain-In to End Child Marriage
The bill to end child marriage is stalled in the CT Senate.
The House already passed it, and the Governor promised to sign it. If they don’t act by Wednesday, the bill will die.
- Please follow this link for an email campaign targeted at CT Senate President Looney. The Senate President has the power to bring HB6569 to the floor for a vote right now and end child marriage in Connecticut. The session ends on Wednesday and the bill will die if it is not voted upon. Customize the email to let him know you are a JP or town clerk.
- Gather at the Connecticut State Capitol tomorrow (Friday) wearing bridal gowns and veils, with our arms chained and mouths taped, to protest forced and child marriage and urge Connecticut senators to pass HB6569, the simple, commonsense bill that would eliminate all marriage before age 18, no exceptions.
Chain-In Hartford
June 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Connecticut State Capitol
210 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT
Related Links
- On May 3, 2023, the bill passed the House 98 to 45. Hooray! Watch the debate on the House floor. (Trigger warning: some verbiage by opponents of the bill is infuriating – and untrue.)
- Legislative activity in Connecticut to end child marriage, including JPus’ testimony to legislators.
- Information and a link to view JPus’ panel discussion about child marriage in Connecticut.
- Landing page for JPus activity involving child marriage in all of our states.
- Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage
- How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage.