All of the legislation that JPus has been following has wrapped up for the 2020 spring session. A summary of each follows. Amateur Officiants Massachusetts The Resolve for a commission study to evaluate the one-day solemnizer rule passed out of committee favorably at the end of February. But, then it got stuck and died in March. In order to plan for next year, we’ve spoken with Senator Cyr’s office and requested that the bill be resubmitted in January. More about our work to address one-day solemnizer problems. New Hampshire After the special marriage officiant bill died in the House, it […]
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Bring back the real JPs!
Is the title “Justice of the Peace” destined to become a generic term for marriage officiant? Not so long ago, most states elected or appointed JPs whose primary duty was to perform marriages. Today many of those states have abolished that role and that official title. Justices of the Peace in Nevada, Texas, Florida and other southern and western states are primarily the lowest level of court justice for whom officiating at marriages is a subordinate (and happy) perk of the office. In some states, a law degree is a prerequisite; in others, not. The New England states are the […]
JP Ceremonies ~ Meaningful with History
For many, the term Justice of the Peace (or JP or JOP) has become a catchall phrase on discussion forums, social media and blogs referring to any civil marriage officiant. “Going to the JP” means to hie oneself (or selves) to town hall for a quickie marriage. This is a disservice to the many Justices of the Peace. Especially, members of the Justice of the Peace Association. They are professional marriage officiants who customize beautiful and personal ceremonies. Beyond that, these pros guide their couples in every aspect of the wedding service. Professionals All Around In addition, members of the […]
Mobilize NH: HB1599
Updated June 12, 2020 The House of Representatives failed to secure a 2/3 majority to suspend its rules and allow the vote on HB1599 to go forward. The bill is stalled, for now. We will proceed with our planned Zoom call on Monday, June 15th (see below) to respond to any questions and prepare for next steps, if needed. All the behind-the-scenes details are here. Special Marriage Officiant Bill During the spring of 2020, the Special Marriage Officiant bill (HB1599) worked its way through the New Hampshire General Court, despite JPUs’ efforts to block it. We haven’t given up, though. […]
Membership
Oppose JP for a Day
Your voice counts! THE ISSUE In March 2018 a new Bill was raised in Connecticut, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace Who May Serve as Marriage Officiants (SB 396), which would allow anyone to be a JP for a Day in the state. Connecticut legislators need to hear from their constituents WHAT JPus IS DOING The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Friday, March 9, 2018 where JPus presented testimony opposing the legislation. We are also working with state Senators and Representatives, and talking with the Secretary of State’s Office, advocating to have the bill killed in committee. HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY You may submit […]
Testifying to the Judiciary Committee: March 9, 2018
Your voice counts! THE ISSUE A new Bill has been raised in Connecticut, An Act Concerning Justices of the Peace Who May Serve as Marriage Officiants (SB 396), which would allow anyone to be a JP for a Day in the state. The Judiciary Committee needs to hear what you think about this proposed legislation. WHERE TO TESTIFY The Judiciary Committee’s public hearing is on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 11:00 AM in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building (LOB). The first hour of the hearing is usually reserved for Legislators, Constitutional Officers, State Agency Heads and Chief Elected Municipal Officials. The Public will likely begin testifying around 12:00 […]
Proposed language: NH Special Officiants
In talks about the problems with the New Hampshire special marriage officiant bill, Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlon asked JPus to submit alternative language for the bill. JPus’ proposed modification to the bill is below, in red. Proposed Language to Special Marriage Officiant bill Related Links Read JPus’ testimony to the NH House Judiciary Committee JPus submitted fiscally focused testimony to the Ways and Means Committee Learn about the problems with amateur marriage officiants here See JPus’ written testimony opposing the 2019 bill. Read all about the behind-the-scenes details of what happened during the 2019 spring legislative session. JPus’ […]
NH Special Marriage Officiant Bill – Judiciary Committee 2020
The Justice of the Peace Association submitted this written statement to the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee opposing HB 1599, An Act Establishing a Special Marriage Officiant License. Additional information about the bill and JPus’ activity is below in Related Links. Related Links Learn about the problems with amateur marriage officiants here JPus submitted alternative language to HB 1599 to address the problems with the bill Read the text of HB 1599 here. See JPus’ written testimony opposing the 2019 NH bill. Read all about the behind-the-scenes details of what happened during the 2019 spring legislative session. JPus’ white paper about temporary […]
Don’t Let Language be a Barrier
Recently, I officiated the wedding of a bride from New Hampshire and a groom from Paris. He spoke English with a charming French accent. But his family, flying over for the festivities, did not. The couple requested a bilingual ceremony, but I do not speak a word of French. What was I going to do?These days, this isn’t an unusual dilemma. As our world grows smaller and more interconnected, cross-cultural weddings have become much more commonplace. These types of ceremonies serve not only to join the couple in marriage, but also to merge two cultures and languages. You can get […]
Union Leader: 7/17/2020
The following op-ed was published in the New Hampshire Union Leader on July 17, 2020. It calls for Governor Sununu to issue an executive order to undo the temporary marriage officiant authorization. Loretta Jay: Amendment undermines marriages… literally ON THE second to last day of the session, the New Hampshire Senate tacked an unrelated amendment onto a guaranteed-to-pass bill. This move, done without notifying constituents, gives anyone temporary authorization to officiate a marriage. This will increase the risk of coronavirus spread. The House passed the bill the next day. New Hampshire needs Governor Sununu to step in and halt this […]
Ideas for a Ceremony of Gravitas
Keep in mind that your wedding ceremony introduces the world to your love and your love to the world. In your new roles as “Mr and Mrs” or “Mrs and Mrs” or “Mr and Mr” you become a family that might increase and divide and increase again. So why not let the ceremony treat the love that brought you to this point as more than mere romance? When romantic love has grown up and been tested, it becomes bigger, believe it or not. It becomes where you are going – your path and your destination. It’s a road with all […]
Zoom: Rescheduled Wedding Celebrations
Staying safe during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, JPus members got together on Zoom to catch up after a season of winter weddings. It was nice to reconnect with friends and to see new faces. Slowly, COVID restrictions are being lifted, gathering sizes are increasing and wedding venues are opening up. As couples plan postponed celebrations, officiants need to be prepared with strategies to guide ceremony decisions. Staying connected by Zoom is a membership benefit. Lively Discussion Performing marriages during the pandemic. It is easier with the support of fellow members. […]