Pointing to his wedding ring, Cenova said that if he were still single, he wouldn't get married if he had to get premarital counseling. No one spoke against the covenant proposal, which has been introduced the past three years by Rep. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn. Several recently divorced Hoosiers told lawmakers how easy it was for their spouses to walk away from their marriage and urged legislators to back the covenant proposal. A Louisiana legislator also encouraged Indiana lawmakers to consider the idea, which was adopted in that state two years ago. The Louisiana law allows couples to get a covenant marriage if they receive premarital counseling, agree to seek counseling if their marriage becomes troubled, and understand that they can divorce only if certain problems such as abuse or a criminal conviction arise.
Couples also can divorce if they live apart for two years.
The Louisiana law allows already married couples to opt into this type of marriage, an idea Kruse said he plans to include in the bill he'll sponsor next year.