The bill, known as Linnette Lebron's Law, aims to modify the procedures for obtaining a marriage or civil union license when one party is terminally ill. It allows for the waiver of the current 72-hour waiting period for issuing a marriage or civil union license if the terminal illness is certified by the treating physician. Additionally, the bill permits the terminally ill person or both parties to obtain the license through a power of attorney, allowing an attorney-in-fact to act on their behalf, or through a telephone conference with the licensing officer. The bill specifies that the power of attorney must be duly signed and notarized, and it must include a certification from the terminally ill person's physician.

The legislation also includes provisions for the appearance of the attorney-in-fact before the licensing officer, as well as the requirement for the parties to communicate via telephone if necessary. It emphasizes that any false statements made during this process, whether in person or over the phone, would constitute perjury. The bill is named in memory of Linnette Lebron, who faced difficulties in obtaining a marriage license while hospitalized, highlighting the need for more compassionate and accessible procedures for terminally ill individuals seeking to marry.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37:1-17.1