SENATE DOCKET, NO. 997        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 831

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Anne M. Gobi

_________________

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 relative to advertising by a justice of the peace.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

Carolyn C. Dykema

8th Middlesex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 997        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 831

By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 831) of Anne M. Gobi and Carolyn C. Dykema relative to advertising by justices of the peace for the solemnization of marriages.  The Judiciary.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1362 OF 2013-2014.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

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.