Defines certain terms used in the act. Allows parties wishing to commit to a lifelong marriage to enter into a covenant marriage by declaring their intent to do so on their application for a marriage license and by executing a declaration of intent.
Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute.
Dashes through the words indicate material to be deleted from existing statute. Page 2 women, domestic abuse, desertion and nonsupport, dissolution of marriage and legal separation, and child support applicable to covenant marriages, except as otherwise explicitly provided. Specifies that property distribution and spousal maintenance shall be determined without regard to marital misconduct only in noncovenant marriages. Allows couples to an existing marriage to enter into a covenant marriage. Directs the clerk and recorder of each county to forward to the state registrar of vital statistics each declaration of intent filed with the county clerk and recorder during the preceding month.