The bill, known as the "Marital Freedom Act," amends existing marriage laws to ensure equal access to marriage regardless of race. It modifies RSA 457:1-a by inserting language that explicitly states that any eligible person may marry another eligible person without regard to race, in addition to the existing provision of gender. This change is aimed at reinforcing the principle of non-discrimination in marriage laws.

The bill specifies that each party to a marriage may be designated as "bride," "groom," or "spouse," without any restrictions based on race or gender. The "Marital Freedom Act" was approved on May 4, 2023, and is set to take effect on July 3, 2023, which is 60 days after its passage. The bill's passage ensures that the legal recognition of marriage is inclusive and upholds the values of equality and freedom.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 457:1-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 457:1-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 457:1-a