HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1035        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1685

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Martha M. Walz

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act regulating fees for solemnizing marriages.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Martha M. Walz

8th Suffolk

1/15/2013

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

 

Cory Atkins

14th Middlesex

 

Denise Andrews

2nd Franklin

 

Eileen M. Donoghue

First Middlesex

 

Jason M. Lewis

Fifth Middlesex

 

Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.

34th Middlesex

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1035        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1685

By Ms. Walz of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1685) of Martha M. Walz and others for legislation to regulate the solemnization of certain marriages by public employees.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act regulating fees for solemnizing marriages.

 

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to regulate fees for solemnizing marriages, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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

Section 35 of chapter 262 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence and inserting in place thereof the following:-

No public employee may provide marriage-related services, such as prenuptial counseling conferences, rehearsals or other special requests during business hours at any location or at any time on public property other than parkland.

The total fee for lawfully solemnizing and certifying a marriage shall not exceed the fee limit fixed for solemnizing and certifying a marriage in a justice of the peace’s home community where a public employee who is also a justice of the peace solemnizes and certifies a marriage during business hours at any location or at any time on public property other than parkland.

The total fee for lawfully solemnizing and certifying a marriage collected by a municipal employee during business hours at any location or at any time on public property other than parkland shall be deposited with the municipality.

The total fee for lawfully solemnizing and certifying a marriage collected by a county employee during business hours at any location or at any time on public property other than parkland shall be deposited with the county.

The total fee for lawfully solemnizing and certifying a marriage collected by a state employee during business hours at any location or at any time on public property other than parkland shall be deposited in the general fund.