SPONSOR: Boggs
This bill establishes the "Missouri Covenant Marriage Act" which shall allow interested parties intent on marriage to apply for a covenant marriage license, the covenant marriage license will be considered the equivalent of a standard marriage license for state purposes. The bill outlines the requirements for a covenant marriage which include that it be between a man and a woman and that the parties obtain eight hours of premarital counseling and 40 hours of marital counseling before a dissolution of marriage. The bill outlines restrictions on when a divorce may be granted for a covenant marriage, including that the divorce must not be granted until at least 2 year have passed since the initial filing for a legal separation.
The bill requires the state of Missouri to include on the state's website a page providing information on the covenant marriage opportunity and requirements.
Statutes affected: