SB527
To Impose Additional Requirements For Entering Into And Dissolving A Covenant Marriage.
Last Action (March 29, 2023): Sine Die adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 527 amends the Covenant Marriage Act of 2001 in Arkansas to strengthen the requirements for entering into and dissolving a covenant marriage. The bill requires marriage license clerks to provide information and resources to applicants inquiring about covenant marriages. It expands the definition of 'authorized counselor' to include 'certified biblical counselors' and standardizes the requirements for premarital and marital counseling sessions. Specifically, the bill mandates a minimum of four sessions for both premarital and marital counseling. Couples seeking a divorce or judicial separation must now file an attestation signed by their counselor confirming that the required counseling sessions were completed and specific topics were discussed. These measures are designed to ensure that parties entering a covenant marriage fully understand the lifelong nature of their commitment and the process for dissolution.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are individuals who specifically seek a covenant marriage and wish to receive more structured counseling and clear legal information before entering or attempting to dissolve such a union. Additionally, the bill benefits religious organizations and certified biblical counselors by formalizing their role as authorized providers of premarital and marital counseling under state law, thereby increasing the official recognition of their services.
Who Might Suffer?
Individuals seeking to dissolve a covenant marriage may be negatively impacted, as the bill introduces mandatory procedural hurdles, such as the requirement for at least four sessions of marital counseling and the filing of formal attestations, which could increase the time, cost, and complexity of obtaining a divorce or judicial separation. Furthermore, couples who do not align with the specific religious or traditional framework of covenant marriage counseling may find the standardized requirements restrictive or burdensome.
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