SB 670

This bill authorizes a mej koob to officiate at a marriage in accordance with

traditional Hmong wedding ceremony customs.

Under current law, a marriage is validly solemnized and contracted in this state

after a marriage license has been issued and the two parties mutually declare, before

an authorized officiating person and two witnesses, that they take each other as each

other's spouse. The following persons are authorized officiating persons: 1) an

ordained member of the clergy; 2) a licentiate of a denominational body or an

appointee of a bishop serving as the regular member of the clergy of any church of

the denomination to which the member of the clergy belongs; 3) the two marrying

parties themselves, by mutual declaration that they take each other as each other's

spouse; 4) a judge, reserve judge, or municipal judge; and 5) a circuit court

commissioner. This bill adds a mej koob, in accordance with traditional Hmong

wedding ceremony customs, to the list of who may officiate at a marriage. A mej koob

is an individual in Hmong culture who negotiates a marriage between the families

of the future bride and groom. A mej koob also conducts the wedding celebration and

ensures that the traditional Hmong cultural customs and rituals are followed during

the celebration.