§650. Findings and purposes
All municipal clerks, the State Registrar of Vital Statistics and courts of this State have a duty and are legally required to construe the provisions of Maine's marriage laws in accordance with the following findings and purposes:
[PL 2019, c. 340, §1 (AMD).]
1.
Findings.
The people of the State of Maine find that:
A.
The union of 2 people joined in a monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in a monogamous marriage.
[PL 2019, c. 340, §2 (AMD).]
[PL 2019, c. 340, §2 (AMD).]
2.
Purposes.
The purposes of this chapter are:
A.
To encourage a monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life;
[PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).]
B.
To nurture, sustain and protect a monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and
[PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).]
C.
To support and strengthen monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts.
[PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).]
[PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1997, c. 65, §2 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 340, §§1-3 (AMD).