H.B. 147

1

UTAH MARRIAGE COMMISSION
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: LaVar Christensen
5 Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Utah Health Code to create the Utah Marriage Commission.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . creates the Utah Marriage Commission within the Department of Health; and
13 . establishes the duties of the commission.
14 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15 None
16 Other Special Clauses:
17 None
18 Utah Code Sections Affected:
19 ENACTS:
20 26-1-40, Utah Code Annotated 1953
21
22 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 Section 1. Section 26-1-40 is enacted to read:
24 26-1-40. Utah Marriage Commission.
25 (1) As used in this section, "commission" means the Utah Marriage Commission
26 created by this section.
27 (2) There is created within the department the "Utah Marriage Commission."

28 (3) The commission shall consist of 17 members appointed as follows:
29 (a) two members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate;
30 (b) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
31 House of Representatives;
32 (c) six representatives from marriage and family departments at state institutions of
33 higher education, as defined in Section 53B-3-102 , appointed by the governor;
34 (d) five representatives appointed by the governor from the following groups:
35 (i) social workers who are or have been licensed under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 2,
36 Social Worker Licensing Act;
37 (ii) psychologists who are or have been licensed under Title 58, Chapter 61,
38 Psychologist Licensing Act;
39 (iii) physicians who are or have been board certified in psychiatry and are or have been
40 licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act;
41 (iv) marriage and family therapists who are or have been licensed under Title 58,
42 Chapter 60, Part 3, Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Act; or
43 (v) representatives of faith communities; and
44 (e) two representatives of the general public appointed by the members of the
45 commission appointed under Subsections (3)(a) through (d).
46 (4) (a) A member appointed under Subsections (3)(c) through (e) shall serve for a term
47 of four years.
48 (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(a), the governor shall, at the time of appointment
49 or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of commission members
50 are staggered so that approximately half of the commission is appointed every two years.
51 (c) A commission member shall serve until a replacement is appointed and qualified.
52 (d) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be
53 appointed for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
54 (5) (a) The commission shall annually elect a chair from its membership.
55 (b) The commission shall hold meetings as needed to carry out its duties. A meeting
56 may be held on the call of the chair or a majority of the commission members.
57 (c) Nine commission members constitute a quorum and, if a quorum exists, the action
58 of a majority of commission members present constitutes the action of the commission.

59 (6) A commission member may not receive compensation or benefits for the
60 commission member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance
61 with:
62 (a) Section 63A-3-106 ;
63 (b) Section 63A-3-107 ; and
64 (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
65 63A-3-107 .
66 (7) The department shall staff the commission.
67 (8) The commission shall:
68 (a) promote coalitions and collaborative efforts to uphold and encourage a strong and
69 healthy culture of strong and lasting marriages;
70 (b) contribute to greater awareness of the importance of marriage leading to reduced
71 divorce and unwed parenthood in the state;
72 (c) promote public policies that support marriage;
73 (d) promote programs that educate couples on how to achieve strong, successful, and
74 lasting marriages, including promoting and assisting in the offering of:
75 (i) events;
76 (ii) services;
77 (iii) marriage education conferences; and
78 (iv) enrichment seminars; and
79 (e) actively promote measures designed to maintain and strengthen marriage, family,
80 and the relationships between husband and wife and parents and children.
81 (9) Funding for the commission shall be as approved by the Legislature through annual
82 appropriations and the added funding sought by the commission from private contributions that
83 support the duties of the commission described in Subsection (8).




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-15-13 4:15 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

[Bill Documents]