An Act to Protect Traditional Marriage and Prohibit Same Sex Marriages
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 19 MRSA §§2-A, 34 and 93 are enacted to read:
All municipal clerks and courts of this State shall have a duty and shall be legally required to construe the provisions of Maine's marriage laws in accordance with the following findings and purposes:
1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that:
A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.
2. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are:
A. To encourage the traditional monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life;
B. To nurture, sustain and protect the traditional monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function, and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and
C. To support and strengthen traditional monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts.
§34. Same sex marriage prohibited
Persons of the same sex may not contract marriage.
§93. Certain marriages performed in another state not recognized in this State
Any marriage performed in another state that would violate any provision of section 31 to 34 if performed in this State is not recognized in this State and is considered void if the parties take up residence in this State.
Sec. 2. 19-A MRSA §650 is enacted to read:
All municipal clerks and courts of this State shall have a duty and shall be legally required to construe the provisions of Maine's marriage laws in accordance with the following findings and purposes:
1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that:
A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.
2. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are:
A. To encourage the traditional monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life;
B. To nurture, sustain and protect the traditional monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and
C. To support and strengthen traditional monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts.
Sec. 3. 19-A MRSA §701, sub-§§1-A and 5 are enacted to read:
1-A. Certain marriages performed in another state not recognized in this State. Any marriage performed in another state that would violate any provisions of subsections 2 to 5 if performed in this State is not recognized in this State and is considered void if the parties take up residence in this State.
5. Same sex marriage prohibited. Persons of the same sex may not contract marriage.
Unless otherwise indicated, effective June 26, 1997.
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