Engaging MA Legislators: Oct. 1, 2019

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Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

On October 1, 2019, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on the Resolve to evaluate the One Day Solemnizer rule. This hearing was in response to JPus’ members concerns, conveyed through JPus’ January 2019 white paper. Senator Julian Cyr sponsored a Resolve to create a commission study on the One-Day Solemnizer rule. JPus and the Town Clerk Association would be members of the Commission.

To be successful, JPs and town clerks will need to engage legislators.

Call Committee Chairs and let them know you support the Resolve

  • Chair: Senator Marc Pacheco, (617) 722-1551
  • Vice Chair: Senator Barry Finegold, (617) 722-1612
  • Chair: Representative Danielle Gregoire, (617) 722-2140
  • Vice Chair: Representative Sean Garballey, (617) 722-2090

You can also call the other Committee members. Their names and contact information are listed here.

Sample Script

Hello. My name is _________.  I am calling to ask the Representative/Senator to vote in favor of S1831, which was heard before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on October 1. I am a JP (or Town Clerk), and I’ve seen lots of problems with the One-Day Solemnizer rule (give example). This Resolve would evaluate the rule and begin to address these problems. Thank you for your consideration.

Email Committee members an email asking them to vote in favor of the Resolve

Hearing on October 1, 2019, at the State House

JPus’ Loretta Jay testified at a hearing on October 1, 2019.

Related Links

  • Problems with the 1-Day Rule: read a summary
  • JPus submitted a white paper to Governor Charlie Baker’s office: see it here
  • One-Day Solemnizers jeopardize the systems that are in place to protect children from coercion into marriage. Read about JPus’ efforts to end child marriage.