Conference committee adopts Article 13 changes on marriage records, guardianship, guardian ad litem and competency services

The Minnesota Public Safety and Judiciary Conference Committee on May 10 adopted multiple measures gathered under Article 13 that change how marriage records are reported, require reporting for guardian ad litem volunteers, clarify the role and contracting for forensic navigators, and tighten notice and standards for certain guardianship restrictions.

The measures were approved by voice vote after members described the policy aims and technical changes. Senator Clark moved the senate package for Article 13; the motion carried. Chair Liebling and Senator Westling also made motions to adopt related house and senate sections; those motions carried.

The marriage-records changes: Senator Clark said the package modernizes county registrar reporting and communication with the state registrar. Under the adopted language, local registrars will no longer be required to transmit specific personal information from marriage certificates to the state registrar; instead, local registrars must report only the number of marriage certificates in a format and frequency determined by the state registrar. The change also codifies several practices enacted in recent years: parties applying for a marriage…