The bill amends the Covenant Marriage Act of 2001 to enhance the requirements for entering into and dissolving a covenant marriage in Arkansas. It mandates that clerks provide additional information to applicants for a covenant marriage license, including a current copy of the Covenant Marriage Act and relevant information on the clerk's website. The bill also specifies that individuals seeking a covenant marriage must undergo a minimum of four sessions of premarital counseling, which must cover various topics related to the nature and responsibilities of a covenant marriage. Furthermore, it introduces the requirement for an attestation from the authorized counselor confirming that the couple has completed the necessary counseling sessions before they can file for divorce or judicial separation.

Additionally, the bill revises the definitions and requirements surrounding authorized counseling, replacing the term "authorized counseling" with "premarital counseling" and "marital counseling." It clarifies the qualifications for counselors and outlines the specific content that must be covered in both premarital and marital counseling sessions. The bill also stipulates that if a couple seeks a divorce or judicial separation, they must provide documentation from their counselor affirming that they have completed the required counseling sessions and discussed the necessary topics. Overall, the amendments aim to strengthen the commitment to covenant marriages and ensure that couples are adequately prepared for the responsibilities involved.

Statutes affected:
SB 527: 9-11-203, 9-11-802, 17-27-102, 9-11-809, 9-11-803(a), 9-11-804, 9-11-812, 9-11-803(b), 9-11-808, 9-11-811(b)