THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1155
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

PART I

SECTION 1. This Act amends existing law to create a category of "civil celebrants" that allows secular practitioners to solemnize marriage in this State, thereby ensuring equal treatment between religious and secular practitioners in regard to the rite of marriage.

PART II

SECTION 2. Section 572-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§572-12   By whom solemnized. ( a) A license to solemnize marriages may be issued to, and the marriage rite may be performed and solemnized by [any]:

(1) Any minister, priest, or officer of any religious denomination or society who has been ordained or is authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of such denomination or society[, or any];

(2) Any religious society not having clergy but providing solemnization in accordance with the rules and customs of that society[, or any];

(3) Any justice or judge or magistrate, active or retired, of a state or federal court in the State upon presentation to such person or society of a license to marry, as prescribed by this chapter. Such person or society may receive the price stipulated by the parties or the gratification tendered[.]; or

(4) Any civil celebrant;

upon presentation to such person or society of a license to marry, as prescribed by this chapter. Such person or society may receive the price stipulated by the parties or the gratification tendered.

(b) As used in this section, "civil celebrant" means a person of a secular or non-religious organization who performs marriage ceremonies."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Secular marriage solemnization.

Description:

Authorizes issuance of licenses to solemnize marriages for persons of a secular or non-religious organization.

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