newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

An Assembly committee approved a bill to eliminate the waiting period for New Jersey marriages that is expected to generate tourism revenue for the state.

New Jersey currently has a 72-hour waiting period to approve wedding licenses. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, D-Camden, would eliminate the waiting period that has been state law since 1934.

According to the Courier Post, current state law requires residents to apply for a marriage license in the town where either party lives, but Greenwald’s bill will allow residents of New Jersey to apply where the ceremony will take place. The bill’s supporters believe the measure will promote weddings at the New Jersey Shore.

Another bill approved allows marriages by proxy for military personnel serving overseas. According to the measure, a qualifying member of the military chooses a designee, and that person and the spouse then obtain a license for the military person.

Phillyburbs.com reports that the cost of a license will also rise to $60 from the previous $28, and New Jersey will gain 68 percent of that increase. Right now $3 of the fee goes to the town issuing the license, and $25 goes to state programs that help victims of domestic violence.

In the terms of the new bill, towns issuing licenses gain $8 of the fee, $30 goes to the domestic violence programs, and $22 goes to New Jersey general funding.

According to NJ.com, Greenwald said that waiting periods in Delaware, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania might hurt the desire of couples to frequent the casinos, and his bill might give New Jersey a competitive advantage and earn revenue for the state. The Atlantic City casinos also favor the changes.