# 19-A M.R.S. § 650: 19-A §650. Findings and purposes

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650

## Section

- **Citation:** 19-A M.R.S. § 650
- **Heading:** 19-A §650. Findings and purposes
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 650

## Text

All municipal clerks, the State Registrar of Vital Statistics and courts of this State have a duty and are legally required to construe the provisions of Maine's marriage laws in accordance with the following findings and purposes: [PL 2019, c. 340, §1 (AMD).]

1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that: A. The union of 2 people joined in a monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in a monogamous marriage. [PL 2019, c. 340, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 340, §2 (AMD).]

2. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are: A. To encourage a monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life; [PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).] B. To nurture, sustain and protect a monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and [PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).] C. To support and strengthen monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts. [PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 340, §3 (AMD).]

## Nearby sections

- [19-A M.R.S. § 650 19-A §650. Findings and purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 650-A 19-A §650-A. Codification of marriage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650-A.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 650-B 19-A §650-B. Recognition of marriage licensed and certified in another jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650-B.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 651 19-A §651. Recording of intentions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S651.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 652 19-A §652. Issuance of marriage license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S652.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 653 19-A §653. Filing of cautions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S653.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 654 19-A §654. Record of marriages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S654.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 655 19-A §655. Authorization; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S655.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 656 19-A §656. License](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S656.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 657 19-A §657. Lack of jurisdiction or authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S657.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 658 19-A §658. Quaker; Baha'i](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S658.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 659 19-A §659. Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S659.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 660 19-A §660. Delayed marriage registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S660.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 701 19-A §701. Prohibited marriages; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S701.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.