BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The waiting period to get a marriage in Louisiana will be shortened, under a bill headed to the governor.
The proposal is by Rep. Julie Emerson, a Republican from Carencro. It drops the wait from the issuance of the marriage license to the ceremony from 72 hours to 24 hours.
A judge, justice of the peace or retired justice of the peace can waive the waiting period under current law. The wait also doesn't apply to out-of-state residents who want to get married in New Orleans.
The Senate voted 33-0 Tuesday for the proposed change , giving it final legislative passage. The House previously had supported the measure with an 86-2 vote.
The change, if upheld by the governor, will begin Aug. 1.
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House Bill 747: www.legis.la.gov
