Texas Bill Would Force Divorcing Couples to Take "Marriage Classes"
Texas Bill Would Force Divorcing Couples to Take "Marriage Classes"
No-fault divorce in Texas is about to get contentious. I present HB 480.
In an attempt to look out for the interests of children, a Texas bill has been proposed which would force couples with dependent kids, and who have mutually agreed to a no-fault divorce, to first take a 10-hour crisis marriage course — which can run up to $200/hour. Whaaa??
Oh, and by the way…the state of Texas ain't footing the bill.
Republican Rep. Warren Chisum (proud father of proposed HB480) states that "having children raised with a mother and father is the desire of my heart," and believes his bill "can save emotional heartache." But advocates against domestic abuse point out this bill could pose difficulties for abused spouses looking for a way out of a bad situation.
I certainly agree with Rep. Chisum that "marriages are worth saving, families are worth saving," but legislating how two adult citizens must get educated on marriage 1) feels like Big Brother is giving us a wedgie, 2) doesn't sound so good for the kids, and 3) seems too little, too late.
If this bill passes, I predict a rise in finger-pointing, hootin' and a hollerin', and drop-down drag-out divorces. Civility just got a lil' too costly.
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