This page is not being updated. The following bills were submitted to the Massachusetts General Court in 2019: S 1831  establishes a commission study to evaluate the One-Day rule (Cyr) SD 941 increases application fees for 1-Dayers (Gobi) SD 943 broadens JP’s advertising to include in “any public media” (Gobi) S1833 increases the fees that JPs may charge to $120 in-town, and $180 for out-of-town ceremonies (DiDomenico). See JPus’ statement of support. Background: One-Day Rule: Senator Cyr’s bill, S 1831, is in response to JPus’ white paper outlining the problems with the One-Day rule. The bill would develop a committee to […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.  

  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.

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 […]

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 Troubles Us With video marriages […]

JPus Member Only Area – Please Login to View.

Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of membership and join here…!

The Justice of the Peace Association submitted written testimony, co-signed by 35 state justices of the peace, to the NH House in support of New Hampshire’s 2024 bill to end child marriage. This is a long-standing effort to hopefully end this human rights abuse taking place in the state. Related Links Follow our efforts to end child marriage in New Hampshire – since 2019! 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 […]