- Introduced -

SB 698 - This act authorizes covenant marriages and only applies to newly married couples.

A couple wanting to contract a covenant marriage must state this intent on their application for a marriage licence. Before the recorder of deeds may issue such license, the couple must file a declaration of intent to contract a covenant marriage. This declaration must include:

(1) A recitation that the couple is committed to a lifelong marriage;

(2) An affidavit from the couple that they have engaged in pre-marital counseling, including a discussion of the legal requirements for covenant marriages; and

(3) A notarized attestation from the counselor that the couple engaged in pre-marital counseling and discussed the Covenant Marriage Act.

Divorces will not be granted to couples with covenant marriages unless the couple seeks marital counseling and the spouse petitioning for the divorce proves that the other spouse committed adultery, committed certain crimes, abandoned the marital home, or lived separately from the petitioning spouse for two years (or one year after a legal separation is granted).

The State Courts Administrator shall develop a pamphlet entitled the "Covenant Marriage Act" outlining the terms and conditions of covenant marriages. This pamphlet shall be available at all locations where applications for marriage licenses are available. The State Courts Administrator currently has the duty to create a handbook outlining child custody and support issues which is given to divorcing couple.

CINDY KADLEC