Bill
SB 269
SB 269 deletes references to matrimonial age and time waivers from the Vital Records Act, forcing agencies to update forms, guidance, and procedures.
Status
- Introduced: November 12, 2024
- Signed by Governor: July 15, 2025 (Chapter 0252)
- Effective date: July 1, 2025 (per legislative record provided)
Purpose and intent
- The bill removes statutory references to “matrimonial age” and to “time waivers” (procedural waivers of statutory waiting periods) from the state’s Vital Records Act. The intent is to eliminate outdated or duplicative language in the vital records statute related to marriage age terminology and waiver procedures, and to bring record‑keeping provisions into alignment with current family law and administrative practice.
Key provisions and changes
- Deletes references to “matrimonial age” throughout the Vital Records Act (the act governing birth, death, marriage, and other vital records).
- Removes provisions that provide or refer to “time waivers” — i.e., statutory language authorizing or describing waivers of waiting periods or time‑based requirements tied to marriage record filings.
- Updates cross‑references and any related definitions or procedural sections in the Vital Records Act to reflect those deletions.
- Requires agencies responsible for implementing the Vital Records Act (e.g., vital records offices, county clerks, health departments) to update forms, guidance, and internal procedures to conform with the amended statute.
Who or what is affected
- Vital records offices and local clerks: must update forms, database fields, public guidance, and internal processing procedures.
- Persons applying for marriage certificates or requesting copies of vital records: potential changes to application forms and instructions; however, the bill does not, on its face, change substantive eligibility rules unless those rules relied on the deleted terms.
- Legal practitioners and courts: statutes and precedents that referenced the deleted language may require attention to ensure consistent interpretation.
- Researchers and public‑information users: historical references to matrimonial age and time waivers will remain in legacy records but will no longer be operative statutory language.
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill completed the legislative process, was chaptered as Chapter 0252, and has an effective date listed as July 1, 2025. Agencies should treat that date as the compliance date for statutory changes and plan form and system updates accordingly.
- No fiscal data or appropriations were included in the materials provided; agencies should assess implementation costs (form redesign, IT updates, staff training) and address them through existing budgets or subsequent appropriations if necessary.
Practical implications and next steps
- Vital records administrators should: (1) inventory all forms, databases, and guidance referencing “matrimonial age” or “time waivers”; (2) issue updated application instructions and public notices; (3) train staff on new procedures; and (4) coordinate with county/legal partners to ensure consistent application.
- Legal counsel should review whether removal of the terms affects any related family‑law provisions or pending administrative practices that relied on the language, and advise stakeholders accordingly.
Note
- The summary is based on the title and status information supplied; full statutory text was not provided. For legal compliance and operational planning, consult the enacted chapter (Chapter 0252) and the final amended text of the Vital Records Act.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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