Four bills are pending before the Massachusetts General Court of the Commonwealth that are important to JPs. If you want changes to the One-Day rule, or would like an increase in the fees you may charge to couples, your state Representatives and Senators need to hear from you! SD2216: establishes a commission study to evaluate the One-Day rule SD 941 increases application fees for 1-Dayers (Gobi) SD 943 broadens JP’s advertising to include in “any public media” (Gobi) SD 659 increases the fees that JPs may charge to $120 in-town, and $180 for out-of-town ceremonies (DiDomenico). Read more about these […]
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Find JP by State
Justice of the Peace, Notaries, and Wedding Officiants Listing on findaJP.com for: ★ Connecticut ★ Florida ★ Maine ★ Massachusetts ★ New Hampshire ★ Vermont
MA Networking to be rescheduled
Unfortunately we have had to reschedule the networking event that was scheduled to take place in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stay tuned for new day and time. Our Connecticut networking event is still on for December 19th in Newington.
Discussion About Video Officiants
This event has ended. Please visit our Event Page for Upcoming Activities. Stay-home orders have made audio-video marriages a thing. Meaning, the couple in one location and the officiant in another. So far, none of the states that JPus is active in has taken this route. But the governors of New York, New Jersey and Colorado have, and now video (Zoom, Skype, Facetime, etc) officiants are allowed in those states. To evaluate the pros and cons, we invited JPus members to talk together during a Zoom call on May 19, 2020. Video Officiants: Why they Trouble Us With video marriages […]
MA Bill Improves Compensation – 2019
Regulating Fees During the spring 2019 legislative session, Massachusetts Senator Sal DiDomenico submitted a bill, S1833, to increase the fees that justices of the peace are allowed to charge to officiate a wedding – from $100 to $120 for in-town ceremonies, and $150 to $180 for out-of-town. As far as we know, the Commonwealth is the only state that restricts fees this way. Related Links JPus’ white paper about 1-Day solemnizers speaks to the implications of regulating JP’s fees S 1831 establishes a commission study to evaluate the One-Day rule Other JPus advocacy JPus Statement of Support JPus is not in […]
Ending Child Marriage – NH 2020
JPus submitted written testimony to the New Hampshire Child and Family Law Committee supporting HB1516. See the additional links, below, for related activity to end child marriage in NH and other states. Related Links See the original text of the bill, HB 1516. Read more about the history of child marriage in New Hampshire, and JPus’ work in the state. Information about our advocacy, partnerships and training for officiants about child and forced marriage.
Ending Child Marriage – NH 2019
JPus submitted written testimony to the New Hampshire Child and Family Law Committee supporting HB378. The bill, had it passed, would have ended child marriage in the state. Instead it got blocked with amendments. See the additional links, below, for related activity to end child marriage in NH and other states. Related Links Read more about the history of child marriage in New Hampshire, and JPus’ work in the state. See JPus’ written testimony in 2020 to end child marriage in NH JPus’ advocacy efforts to end child marriage in NH and other states can be found here.
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. Connecticut could end child marriage right now — but HB6569, the bill that would ban it in the state, is stalling in the Senate and may not be called for a floor vote. We need to take immediate action to urge the Senate President, Senator Martin Looney, to schedule the bill for a vote. Following are two action items: Please follow this link for an email campaign targeted at […]
NH Special Officiant Bill Died
A Long-Shot It was a long-shot, but we did it! The fight over the New Hampshire Special Marriage Officiant bill is over. Thank you to all the New Hampshire JPs who didn’t give up. Together, our emails, phone calls, signatures and testimony made a difference. Ultimately, the bill got stuck in conference and died. Read more to get a better understanding of what happened.
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Testimony to NH House Ways & Means: HB 295
Ways and Means Committee On March 6, 2019, Loretta Jay, of the Justice of the Peace Association, testified before the New Hampshire House Ways and Means Committee opposing HB 295. The bill would establish a special marriage officiant license, allowing temporary officiants. Focus on Revenue The Ways and Means Committee’s focus is on raising revenue, so JPus’ testimony emphasized how this bill, if implemented, would create unintended fiscal losses to both the state and municipalities. More information about HB 295 and JPus’ response to special officiants. Written Testimony Many thanks to the New Hampshire JPs who mobilized quickly and endorsed […]
Lakes/White Mountain Region
The natural beauty of the Lakes and White Mountain Region of New Hampshire creates a backdrop hard to beat. Romantic mountaintops await. Here, your JP may hike with just the two of you to exchange vows. Or, behold a lakeside resort, able to accommodate a large wedding party. Whether you are a native to the area, or you’ve always dreamt of a destination wedding. Opportunity abounds! Unsure what is the right venue for you? Let your JP know what you are looking for, and he or she will likely have suggestions. Find a Wedding Officiant in the Lakes/White Mountain Region […]
JP Appointments Bill in Jeopardy
Contact YOUR STATE SENATOR and REPRESENTATIVE ask them to Vote YES on SB1140 Inclusive of Section 3 Working Group Please take a few minutes to email your Senator and Representative and ask them to vote YES on SB1140 inclusive of Section 3, creating a JP Working Group Look up your State Representative and Senator Call or send your State Representative and Senator an email asking them to support SB1140 – Inclusive of Section 3. See talking points and sample e-mail language below. The details are important. Current Situation On May 16, 2023, a new amendment was submitted in the Senate that guts the part […]