Oklahoma House Bill HB1668

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Marriages; providing for covenant marriages; effective date.

Impact

The bill will modify how Oklahoma law handles marriage and divorce by setting distinct grounds for divorce specific to covenant marriages, including adultery, felony convictions, and situations involving abuse. Importantly, a covenant marriage does not permit easy divorce as is commonly practiced; instead, couples must demonstrate efforts toward reconciliation and prove that they pursued counseling. This change in legislation could lead to fewer divorces among couples in covenant marriages, as it emphasizes commitment and resolution through counseling before dissolution of the marriage.

Summary

House Bill 1668 proposes the establishment of covenant marriages in Oklahoma, aiming to enhance the commitment involved in marriages by adding a layer of counseling and bequeathing lifelong obligations to couples who choose this type of union. To initiate a covenant marriage, couples must declare their intent when applying for a marriage license and undergo premarital counseling that focuses on the responsibilities and nature of marriage. This bill amends existing marriage laws to include specific provisions and requirements for couples opting for covenant marriages, such as a notarized affidavit confirming completion of counseling.

Contention

While proponents argue that covenant marriages create a stronger societal foundation by ensuring that couples are better prepared for the challenges of marital life, critics raise concerns about the potential implications for personal freedoms, suggesting that such requirements may overly complicate an already difficult process. There are fears that the bill may also create disparities in how marriages are legally perceived, potentially leading to stigmatization of traditional marriages in comparison to covenant marriages.