VT Action Alert – Child Marriage
CALL TO ACTION in VERMONT
End Child Marriage
Ask the YOUR REPRESENTATIVE to Vote YES on H 148
Your steps
- Call or e-mail YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
- Let the know who you are and where you live and what you do
- Ask them to vote YES on H 148 – Raising the Age of Marriage to 18
Talking Points
- As a professional marriage officiant or town clerk, you are faced with the ethical dilemma: performing a ceremony that you know is not in the best interest of the minor child or violating the law by refusing.
- This is about legal rights, NOT about maturity.
- A child cannot retain an attorney, access domestic violence shelters, or sign a lease on a rental. If married, child protective services cannot protect them.
- We do not want Vermont to become the destination marriage state in the Northeast for child traffickers to further their control over their victims.
Related Links
- See JPus’ advocacy and legislative activity about child marriage in Vermont
- Watch the workshop about child marriage in Vermont, recorded on January 25, 2023
NH Bill to End Child Marriage
On January 22, 2023, the Justice of the Peace Association submitted testimony to New Hampshire’s Children and Family Law Committee in support of HB34. The legislation would change the minimum age to marry in the state to 18 – no exceptions. Read JPus’ testimony.
Related Links
- Information about our advocacy and partnerships for officiants about child and forced marriage.
- JPus has been on the forefront of legislative activity to end child marriage in other states
- Follow our state-by-state changes to marriage laws
- How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage
- Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage
Child Marriage Workshop – Connecticut
February 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Join the Justice of the Peace Association and the National Association of Social Workers – CT for an interactive workshop that exposes the harm of child marriage and efforts underway to end it in Connecticut. Esteemed panelists will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Connecticut marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. Read more and registration.
Vermont Workshop on Child Marriage
JPus works to both raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and advocate for no-exceptions legislation. This virtual workshop, to be held on January 25, 2023 at 12:00 Noon, is focused on the issue in Vermont, and addresses officiants’ quandary if asked to perform such a union. This informative workshop will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Vermont marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. More information and registration info.
Our Partners and Co-Hosts
Survey – Sustainable Ceremonies
How are you protecting the environment? Please answer our survey about the steps you take so your marriage ceremonies are more sustainable. We’ll then share the results in a member support article so all members can help reduce our carbon footprint.
Related Links
- Read our blog article for couples about the steps they can take for a more sustainable wedding ceremony.
- JPus advocates for issues that affect marriage officiants.
- Learn more about the Justice of the Peace Association.