HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1274        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1406

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to advertising by a justice of the peace..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 207 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 58 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 58. A Justice of the Peace or other person authorized to solemnize marriages may advertise his or her name or any trade name, business address, telephone number, rate of compensation as provided by law, regular hours of availability and any ability in a second language and any present or former professional affiliation, in any public media, such as telephone directory, electronic or computer accessed justice of the peace directory, newspaper or other periodical, radio or television or through written, electronic, computer-accessed or similar types of communication, including websites. However, whoever advertises to perform or to procure the performance of a marriage ceremony by any other means shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of a business card by a Justice of the Peace or other person authorized to perform marriage ceremonies; and provided, further said card shall not display the seal of the Commonwealth.