***Update 1.27.25 – On January 24, 2025 Rep. Chris Hurt (R-Dist. 82- Halls) withdrew as bill sponsor and Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Dist. 61-Brentwood) took over as the prime bill sponsor in the House on a bill that seeks to create a type of marriage couples may choose to enter that would emphasize the lifelong commitment and would only allow for divorce under certain circumstances. The article has been updated to reflect this sponsor change.***
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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
An Act sponsored by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Dist. 61-Brentwood) would seek to create a type of marriage couples may choose to enter that would emphasize the lifelong commitment and would only allow for divorce under certain circumstances.
Dubbed “The Covenant Marriage Act”, HB0315, would certify that a covenant marriage is entered into by only one man and one woman who “understand and agree that marriage is a lifelong relationship.”
Per the bill’s language, parties to a covenant marriage would be required to participate in counseling that emphasizes, “the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage.”
As the covenant marriage is only between a male and female, same-sex couples would be excluded from attaining this type of marriage.
To contract a covenant marriage, a couple would declare their intent to do so as part of their marriage license application.
The declaration must contain an affidavit confirming the couple has received premarital counseling from an ordained minister, priest, or clergyman of a certified religion or a licensed counselor and a notarized attestation that the couple were counseled on the grounds for termination and received an informational pamphlet developed by the secretary of state from their counselor.
The declaration of intent must also include a statement made by both parties that reads, “We do solemnly declare that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who agree to live together as husband and wife for so long as we both may live. We have chosen each other carefully and disclosed to one another everything which could adversely affect the decision to enter into this marriage. We have received premarital counseling on the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage. We have read the Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act, and we understand that a covenant marriage is for life. If we experience marital difficulties, we commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage, including attending marriage counseling. With full knowledge of what this commitment means, we do hereby declare that our marriage will be bound by the laws of this state on covenant marriage, and we promise to love, honor, and care for one another as husband and wife for the rest of our lives.”
The Act specifies that once a couple has entered a covenant marriage, divorce or separation proceedings may commence, “Only when there has been a complete and total breach of the marital covenant commitment,” and marriage counseling has been tried.
Circumstances constituting such a breach would include proof of adultery, committing of a felony resulting in a death or continuous confinement sentence, physical or sexual abuse of a spouse or a child, or a spouse abandoning the “matrimonial domicile” for one year and refusing to return.
This new marriage option would not be limited to just newlyweds. Existing married couples may also choose to enter a covenant marriage by providing the same declaration of intent materials to the county clerk who issued the couple’s marriage license. If the couple was married outside the state, a copy of the marriage certificate with the declaration can be filed with the clerk in the couple’s county of residence.
This unusual bill will likely receive pushback from Democrats for its exclusion of same-sex couples, amongst other religious components, and there is not yet any indication where Republican lawmakers will stand as the bill was just filed on January 22.
It will not have a chance to be heard until after Governor Lee’s special session, which is set to begin January 27.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
License is the problem.