Bill
HB 6397
The bill authorizes one-time use of a specific officiant to solemnize a named couple’s marriage in Lincoln, Rhode Island, on or about June 13, 2025.
HB 6397 — An Act Relating to Solemnization of Marriages
Overview
HB 6397 is a narrowly tailored private act that seeks to authorize a single, one-time婚 solemnization. It designates a specific officiant and the exact date and location for a particular marriage, rather than making a general change to Rhode Island’s marriage laws.
Purpose and intent
- The bill authorizes the Honorable Thomas J. Paolino to solemnize the marriage between Mariah Marie Paolino and Conner Joseph Gerlach.
- The ceremony would take place in the Town of Lincoln, Rhode Island, on or about June 13, 2025.
- The authorization is presented “Notwithstanding any other general or special law,” signaling a one-off override to allow this specific act of solemnization under Chapter 3 of Title 15 (Solemnization of Marriages).
Key provisions
- Section 1: Grants the Honorable Thomas J. Paolino authority to join Mariah Marie Paolino and Conner Joseph Gerlach in marriage in Lincoln on or about June 13, 2025, pursuant to Rhode Island’s general marriage solemnization laws.
- Section 2: States that the act takes effect upon passage.
- The text references Chapter 3 of Title 15 of the General Laws (Solemnization of Marriages) as the governing framework for the ceremony.
Who is affected
- The couple: Mariah Marie Paolino and Conner Joseph Gerlach.
- The officiant: The Honorable Thomas J. Paolino (the statute specifies he may perform the marriage).
- The Town of Lincoln and Rhode Island’s marriage laws, insofar as this is a designated, one-time exception to those laws.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduced: January 23, 2025.
- Status: Introduced on June 6, 2025, and referred to the House Special Legislation committee.
- Legislative actions show prior referrals and changes of reference, with the bill currently positioned in the House Special Legislation committee.
- Effective date: Immediate upon passage of the act (takes effect upon passage).
- Event date referenced for the ceremony: on or about June 13, 2025.
Fiscal/administrative notes
- The bill contains no appropriations or fiscal provisions; it appears to have no broader fiscal impact beyond the ceremonial authorization for the specified wedding.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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