Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8509: AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES (Allows Joseph Couto to join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Marriage on or about August 2, 2026, within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island.)
Status: Signed into law, June 23, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 1, 2026:
2026 -- H 8509 ======== LC006412 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES Introduced By: Representative Susan R. Donovan Date Introduced: May 01, 2026 Referred To: House Special Legislation It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, Joseph Couto may join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in marriage within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island on or about August 2, 2026. Joseph Couto 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. ======== LC006412 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF ANACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES *** This act would allow Joseph Couto to join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Marriage on or about August 2, 2026, within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC006412 ======== LC006412 - Page 2 of
Sponsors
- Susan Donovan (D, HD-069) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage in concurrence
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Referred to Senate Judiciary
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
Votes
- Senate Committee on Judiciary: Passage in concurrence (June 3, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Seq #196: PASSAGE (May 19, 2026): 64 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Special Legislation: Passage (May 12, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES
Common questions
- What is H8509?
- H8509 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES (Allows Joseph Couto to join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in Marriage on or about August 2, 2026, within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island.).
- What is the status of H8509?
- Signed into law as of June 23, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8509?
- Susan Donovan (D, HD-069).
- Where is the official record for H8509?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8509.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.