Bill > SB811

This bill creates an exception to the requirement of obtaining a state-issued marriage license before a marriage ceremony can be performed, allowing ministers of the Gospel or similarly situated officiants whose sincerely held beliefs forbid the requirement of a state license to solemnize marriages within their community of faith, provided they inform the couple that they are responsible for obtaining civil recognition of the marriage if desired and may optionally have the couple sign a statement of receipt to be filed with the court clerk, which protects the minister from civil or criminal liability for performing the marriage. The bill also amends existing law to clarify that this exception applies to solemnizing marriages within a community of faith as provided in Section 4 of the title, and it specifies that any judge or court clerk knowingly issuing a license or concealing a record contrary to the chapter's provisions, or any person knowingly performing a ceremony contrary to the chapter's provisions with fraudulent or criminal intent, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, with penalties including fines and/or jail time. This act is set to become effective on November 1, 2015.