Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa)
announced that legislation to remedy injustice within state marriage law by extending
the right to solemnize marriages to officials on Indian reservations received
final approval by the Senate (A.9315). The bill passed the Assembly in early
May.
Current law enables a host of
religious, secular and governmental officials to solemnize marriages for New
Yorkers, but limits this authority to one, vaguely defined Tribal official,
enumerated in current law as “peacemakers”.
“This is about respect for our
tribal officials and their culture. The law that was on the books was from a
different time and does not afford tribal leaders the rights they deserve,”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation brings the law into the 21st
century and provides officials on reservations with the same authority given to
countless officials in the state.”
The bill, which now heads to the
governor for his signature, confers the right to solemnize marriages to a judge
or peacemaker judge of any Indian tribal court, a chief, a headman, or any
member of any tribal council or other governing body of any nation, tribe, band
or any other persons duly designated by such body.
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