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 […]
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Gender Neutral Terms
All of the New England states that JPus is active in use gender-neutral terms on marriage licenses. However, this wasn’t always the case. The History We were pleased to learn that in 2019 Maine started using gender-neutral terms when referring to marriage or familial relationships. This prompted JPus to conduct a quick survey of the other states that we serve, asking what terminology was used. Vermont and New Hampshire allow couples to check a box indicating bride/groom/spouse, and only the term checked is on the license. Massachusetts uses gender neutral terms: Party A and Party B. At the time, Connecticut’s […]
Engaging MA Legislators: Oct. 1, 2019
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 […]
MA: 2019 Legislation
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 […]
CT’s JP for a Day: What Happened
This is a blow-by-blow account of how the Justice of the Peace Association responded to proposed legislation in Connecticut, SB-396, JP for a Day, as reported by managing member, Loretta Jay. SB-396 JP for a Day It was late on Friday, March 2nd, when Barbara Jay received an email from Betsy Moukawsher, Groton, Connecticut’s Town Clerk, warning that a bill was introduced to the current legislative session. SB-396 said very simply that the Secretary of the State could appoint justices of the peace “to perform a single joining of persons in marriage”. The bill, coined JP for a Day, was […]
Partnerships
We form strategic partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations that share our goal of supporting marriage officiants with the performance of their duties. Doing so allows us to broaden our strength and influence, and be a more effective leader and representative for our members. Public Agencies Secretary of State’s offices & Town Clerks The Secretary of State‘s offices and town clerks are important stakeholders to us, and our natural partners. Their role complements that of officiants in marriage’s legal process. Working together benefits all parties, because it improves communication. Connecting couples with our members is our core service. So, we are […]
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.
Connecticut Clerk's Conference
Partnering with Town Clerks JPus is looking forward to meeting with Connecticut’s town clerks on Thursday, September 19, 2019 in Westbrook. We’ll have a table at their annual conference, where we’ll share information about our wonderful JPs and findaJP.com. These opportunities for one-on-one conversations nurture our relationships and strengthen our partnerships. Please stop by Water’s Edge if you’re around.
More Vermont towns available on FindaJP
Attention Vermont Justices of the Peace: We have added 8 more towns to our directory on findaJP.com. These towns are also available for Membership on JPus.org. Though we have always covered all of Vermont, we have added North Hero, South Hero, Grand Isle, Waitsfield, Jay, Chelsea, Pittsfield, and Stratton to further highlight these popular wedding destinations. In addition, our new Vermont pricing model recognizes the state’s rural aspects and lower population. This new structure will provide our JPus members with better control, and let you select the specific reach that works best for you. JPs: To see all Vermont towns […]
2019 MA Legislation
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 […]
CT Clerk Conference
Attention CT JPs! 9/13/2018 – JPus will have an information table at the Connecticut Town Clerk Association Conference. The conference will be held at Water’s Edge Resort, Westbrook, CT on September 13, 2018. Please join JPus to meet and greet the state’s town clerks and help explain the wonderful services that our JPs provide.
NH House Testimony – 2024
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 […]
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