HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 749 FILED ON: 1/14/2013
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1362
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 passage of the accompanying:
An Act relative to advertising by a justice of the peace.
_______________
PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Anne M. Gobi | 5th Worcester |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 749 FILED ON: 1/14/2013
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1362
By Ms. Gobi of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1362) 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
HOUSE
, NO. 2175 OF 2011-2012.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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.
