If enacted, SB 1333 will amend Missouri’s marriage laws, specifically chapters 451 and 452, to include provisions for covenant marriages. This includes allowing couples already married under a standard license to convert their marriage to a covenant marriage without needing additional counseling. The implications of this bill are substantial; it aims to discourage divorce by establishing stricter processes around dissolution and increasing the marriage counseling requirements. For divorce from a covenant marriage, individuals must first file for legal separation and subsequently go through court-mandated counseling, adding an additional layer to the current divorce process.
Summary
Senate Bill 1333, introduced by Senator Moon, aims to establish the Missouri Covenant Marriage Act, creating a framework for individuals to enter into 'covenant marriages.' This new type of marriage license will require couples to state their commitment and undergo premarital counseling before they can obtain the license. The bill specifies certain criteria that must be met for a marriage to qualify as a covenant marriage, including a declaration of intent to uphold a lifelong commitment, and that couples have received counseling regarding the seriousness of this commitment. A covenant marriage aims to emphasize the permanence of marriage and the importance of exhausting all avenues to preserve it before seeking divorce.
Contention
There are notable points of contention surrounding SB 1333. Critics may argue that the bill further complicates the marital dissolution process and could be seen as an infringement upon personal freedoms in choosing how to enter and exit a marriage. Supporters can contend that the bill's intent is to foster stability within marriages and reduce the divorce rate by ensuring that individuals are fully aware of the commitments they make. The requirement of extensive counseling before a marriage can be legally dissolved is also a point of conversation; some may find it necessary while others could view it as an unnecessary obstacle to ending an unhappy marriage.