An Act To Remove Clergy as Signatories on Marriage Licenses
Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA §655, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 574, §6, is further amended to read:
(1) A justice or judge;
(2) A lawyer admitted to the Maine Bar; or and
(4) A notary public under Title 4, chapter 19 ; and .
(1) An ordained minister of the gospel;
(2) A cleric engaged in the service of the religious body to which the cleric belongs; or
(3) A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body.
Sec. 2. 19-A MRSA §657, as amended by PL 2001, c. 574, §7, is further amended to read:
§ 657. Lack of jurisdiction or authority
A marriage , solemnized before any known inhabitant of the State professing to be a justice, judge , or notary public or an ordained or licensed minister of the gospel, is not void, nor is its validity affected by any want of jurisdiction or authority in the justice, judge , or notary or minister or by any omission or informality in entering the intention of marriage, if the marriage is in other respects lawful and consummated with a full belief, on the part of either of the persons married, that they are lawfully married.
summary
This bill removes the authorization of clergy members to solemnize marriages.