Bill > SB769

This bill establishes procedures for creating and dissolving "covenant marriages" in Missouri, which are marriages with more stringent commitment requirements compared to standard marriages. Under this legislation, couples can choose to enter a covenant marriage by completing a detailed process that includes receiving at least eight hours of premarital counseling, signing specific declarations of intent, and filing notarized attestations with the county recorder of deeds. Couples can also convert an existing standard marriage to a covenant marriage through a similar process. For covenant marriages, divorce is significantly more difficult to obtain, requiring at least two years of separation, mandatory 40 hours of marital counseling, and limited legal grounds for dissolution such as adultery, drug/alcohol abuse, felony conviction, domestic violence, abandonment, or prolonged separation. The bill mandates that the state create a website explaining covenant marriage requirements and provides options for faith-based counseling and parenting education programs. Importantly, covenant marriages remain entirely voluntary, with couples retaining the option to obtain a standard marriage license, and the covenant marriage provision is intended to be legally equivalent to standard marriages in terms of rights and benefits.

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https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=6349864