The Senate also considered SB 70, a proposal authored by Wichita Falls Sen. Tom Haywood that would authorize the creation of covenant marriages. A covenant marriage would involve more stringent premarital requirements and obligations, with the intention of discouraging divorce. Entry into a covenant marriage would be optional. Haywood did not make a motion for final passage, meaning SB 70 could come up for consideration again as soon as Wednesday. In other Senate news, Dallas Sen. David Cain announced SB 1274, a proposal that would increase penalties for cruelty to domestic animals.
Research shows a link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.
Studies also show that those who torture animals as children are at higher risk for criminal behavior later in life. SB 1274 would make animal cruelty a felony offense. The bill does not apply to hunting, fishing or trapping. Under SB 1274, minors who are convicted of animal cruelty would be required to undergo psychological counseling. Cain said the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hear the bill tomorrow.