SENATE DOCKET, NO. 623 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 867
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Anne M. Gobi
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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.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Anne M. Gobi | Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 623 FILED ON: 1/18/2017
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 867
By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 867) of Anne M. Gobi relative to advertising by justices of the peace for the solemnization of marriages. The Judiciary. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 831 OF 2015-2016.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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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. Any person who 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.