SENATE WOMEN'S ISSUES, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 451

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 9, 1996

      The Senate Women's Issues, Children and Family Services Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 451 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill amends the law concerning the issuance of marriage licenses, R.S.37:1-7. The amendment would require that all marriage licences include language informing applicants of their legal rights concerning domestic violence in the State and of the consequences of criminal acts of abuse perpetrated by spouses or other family members.

      The committee amended the bill to appropriate $15,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health to cover the cost of adding the new language on all State marriage licenses.