Bill Sponsors
Caldwell, Craven, Dawson, and O'Brien
Committee
House read and passed
Summary
Select
This bill grants special legal permission for Meghan Elizabeth McEntee to officiate the wedding of Taylor Lauren Criscuolo and Michael Joseph McEntee Jr. The wedding ceremony is scheduled to take place in Narragansett, Rhode Island, on or around September 25, 2026.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Empowers individuals to choose a meaningful person to officiate their wedding, supporting personal freedom and expression.
- Removes bureaucratic barriers to marriage by allowing a non-traditional officiant, promoting inclusivity in civil ceremonies.
- Supports the welfare and happiness of community members by facilitating a personalized family celebration.
Cons for Progressives
- Requires legislative time and state resources to pass a bill for a single, private family event instead of addressing broader systemic issues.
- Highlights an inefficient legal system where individuals must seek special legislative approval just to have a friend or family member officiate a wedding.
- Creates unequal access, as only those with the knowledge or political connections to request a legislative bill can benefit from this personalized accommodation.
Pros for Conservatives
- Promotes traditional social values by supporting and facilitating the institution of marriage.
- Encourages strong family bonds by allowing a specific family member to formally officiate a marriage ceremony.
- Focuses on an individual, localized matter rather than creating sweeping, burdensome statewide regulations.
Cons for Conservatives
- Wastes taxpayer money and legislative time on a private matter that should not require government intervention.
- Represent an unnecessary government hurdle where citizens must ask the state for permission to have a friend officiate a wedding.
- Bypasses the standard, established legal requirements for who is officially recognized and licensed to solemnize marriages.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. This is a standard legislative act granting one-time authority to solemnize a marriage, which does not violate any constitutional rights.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- The wedding couple
- The wedding officiant
Towns Affected
Narragansett
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 06/10/2026 House read and passed
• 06/10/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 Senate passed in concurrence
• 06/18/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 06/10/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 Senate passed in concurrence
• 06/18/2026 Transmitted to Governor
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, Meghan Elizabeth McEntee may join Taylor Lauren Criscuolo and Michael Joseph McEntee Jr., in marriage within the Town of Narragansett, Rhode Island on or about September 25, 2026. Meghan Elizabeth McEntee is hereby authorized and empowered to join the foregoing persons in marriage pursuant to and in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 15 of the General laws, entitled “Solemnization of Marriages.”
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.