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HB 8509

AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Susan Donovan

The bill authorizes a single officiant, Joseph Couto, to solemnize the marriage of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Tiverton on about August 2, 2026.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 8509

Summary of HB 8509 (2026) — Rhode Island

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill authorizes a specific, targeted exception to the typical process for solemnizing a marriage. It allows a named individual, Joseph Couto, to perform the marriage ceremony for two specific individuals on a specified date and location.
  • In effect, it creates a one-time, limited authorization for a single officiant to solemnize the marriage between Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Grants authority for Joseph Couto to solemnize the marriage of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos.
    • Location: Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
    • Date: On or about August 2, 2026.
    • Legal basis: To be pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 15 of the General Laws, which governs the solemnization of marriages.
    • The act explicitly states this is notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary.
  • Section 2: Effective date
    • The act takes effect upon passage (immediate effectiveness once enacted).

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Individuals directly affected:
    • The couple: Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos (the marriage to be solemnized).
    • The officiant: Joseph Couto (authorized to solemnize the marriage).
  • Geographic scope:
    • Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
  • Temporal scope:
    • A specific date window: on or about August 2, 2026.
  • Legal scope:
    • This is a narrow, carve-out action within Rhode Island law related to marriage solemnization procedures (Chapter 3, Title 15).

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduced by Representative Susan R. Donovan and co-sponsored.
  • Referred to the House Special Legislation committee.
  • Effective date is “upon passage,” meaning the bill would become law immediately after enactment.
  • This is a one-time, targeted authorization rather than a broad reform of marriage laws.

Practical Implications

  • The bill provides a limited exception to authorize a specific individual to perform a particular marriage ceremony on a designated date and location.
  • It does not appear to change general rules governing who may solemnize marriages in Rhode Island beyond this targeted authorization.
  • If the bill passes, the couple would be able to wed in Tiverton on or about August 2, 2026 with Joseph Couto serving as the officiant, under the authority granted by this act.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current Rhode Island marriage solemnization requirements or provide a brief overview of relevant Rhode Island statutes (Chapter 3 of Title 15) for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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