Senate Bill 2551

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-1-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS FOR THE NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF MISSISSIPPI TO SOLEMNIZE RITES OF MATRIMONY ANYWHERE IN THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 93-1-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

93-1-17. Any minister of the gospel ordained according to the rules of his church or society, in good standing; any Rabbi or other spiritual leader of any other religious body authorized under the rules of such religious body to solemnize rites of matrimony and being in good standing; any judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, chancery court * * * or, county court, * * * United States Circuit Court, or United States District Court, or a United States magistrate judge or judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court may solemnize the rites of matrimony between any persons anywhere within this state who shall produce a license granted as herein directed; the federal judges listed must have a duty station in Mississippi to be so authorized. Justice court judges and members of the boards of supervisors may likewise solemnize the rites of matrimony within their respective counties. Any marriages performed by a mayor of a municipality prior to March 14, 1994, are valid provided such marriages satisfy the requirements of Section 93-1-18.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.