S.21-3.8: Southern Marriage Act (Law'd)

[reagente]

Southern Marriage Act:

Section 1. Definitions
i. To be valid and recognized in this region, a civil marriage shall exist only between two adults.
ii. Individuals who have a coefficient of relationship of 10% or higher with each other are prohibited from marrying.
iii. Nothing in this act shall be construed to compel religious institutions to recognize, endorse, or provide civil marriages.

Section 2. Validity and Parameters
i. To be valid and recognized in this region, a civil marriage shall exist only between two adults.
ii. Nothing in this act shall be construed to compel religious institutions to recognize, endorse, or provide civil marriages.

Section 3. Civil Marriage Incentives
i. Section 2(i) of the Family Opportunity Fund Act (S.20.3-16) is replaced with the following section:
“Each Married person with a dependent child shall be eligible for an annual child tax credit of $6,000 per dependent, up to four. The credit shall be divided and dispersed at the beginning of each month ($500 per month). Each Unmarried person with a dependent child shall be eligible for an annual child tax credit of $3,600 per dependent, up to four. The credit shall be divided and dispersed at the beginning of each month ($300 per month).

Section 4. At-Fault Civil Divorce
i. To obtain an at-fault civil divorce in the South, one spouse must show that the other spouse has committed a fault.
ii. Faults shall include adultery, abandonment, capital felony, and crimes against children. State governments may augment this list.
iii. A spouse accused of a fault can utilize recrimination as a defense.
iv. If only one spouse is shown to have acted without fault in the civil marriage, that spouse shall be awarded primary custody of non-adult children and two-thirds of commonly held real property.
v. No alimony payments are owed to a spouse who has committed a fault.

Section 5. No-Fault Civil Divorce.
i. A spouse can obtain a civil divorce in the South without a showing of fault. However, the initiating spouse forgoes any right to alimony payments, and cannot receive more than 50% of commonly held real property or primary custody in the divorce settlement.

Section 6: Enactment
Sections 2 and 3 of this act are valid immediately upon passage. Sections 4 and 5 will enter effect on January 1, 2023.

Sponsor: reagente

To my knowledge, the South has never promulgated a Marriage statute. Proposing this law as a template. Happy to answer any questions.

I though it would be easier to use the term "Coefficient of Relationship" (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coefficient_of_relationship) rather than promulgate every type of category. Basically first-cousin marriage and anything closer in relation is prohibited,

[TheSaint250]

To my knowledge, the South has never promulgated a Marriage statute. Proposing this law as a template. Happy to answer any questions.

I think such a bill would be a good idea to enact, especially since the above statement would necessitate action on this front.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I am in strongly in favor of the bill as it is currently written.

[reagente]

Since it seems like we have a majority in favor of the bill, I motion for a final vote.

[reagente]

Final vote, 48 hours

[UlmerFudd]

Aye

[TheSaint250]

Aye

[reagente]

Aye

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This bill has enough votes to pass, delegates have 24 hours to change their vote if they wish

[Coastal Elitist]

Aye

[reagente]

This bill has passed 4-0 with one abstention and will be sent to the Governor for signature