19-A M.R.S. §650: Findings and purposes

All municipal clerks, the State Registrar of Vital Statistics and courts of this State have a duty and are legally required to construe the provisions of Maine's marriage laws in accordance with the following findings and purposes:

1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that:

A. The union of 2 people joined in a monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in a monogamous marriage.

2. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are:

A. To encourage a monogamous family unit as the basic building block of our society, the foundation of harmonious and enriching family life;

B. To nurture, sustain and protect a monogamous family unit in Maine society, its moral imperatives, its economic function and its unique contribution to the rearing of healthy children; and

C. To support and strengthen monogamous Maine families against improper interference from out-of-state influences or edicts.