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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Paul Costa |
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Costa bill to allow retired judges to preside over marriages passes House
HARRISBURG, March 11 -- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, is announcing that his legislation to allow retired judges to perform marriage ceremonies has passed the House by a vote of 187-5.
The bill, H.B. 270, would allow former or retired Pennsylvania justices, judges or magisterial district judges, who are in good standing and not serving as senior judges or senior magisterial district judges, to preside over marriage ceremonies.
"Current law requires a judge to retire at the age of 70," Costa said. "But if he or she wishes to continue performing wedding ceremonies after retirement, it is not allowed. I think such a stipulation is unnecessary and this bill would remove that provision."
Under the bill, a former or retired Pennsylvania justice, judge, or magisterial district judge must have served an aggregate period equaling a full term of office and be a resident of the Commonwealth.
"I reintroduced this bill because I think there is great support from my colleagues since it passed the House last session as well," Costa said. "That bill was amended in the Senate Judiciary Committee but the legislative session ended before the full Senate could take it up for a vote."
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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