Marriage `Warning’ Bill Advances Senate Committee Approves Legislation Intended To Help Reduce Domestic Violence

A measure intended to warn couples that marriage isn’t all bliss passed a Senate committee Thursday and headed for likely action soon on the Senate floor.

The bill, SB5124, would revise the wording of marriage licenses to inform couples that, among other things, “Neither you nor your spouse is the property of the other” and “The laws of this state affirm your right to enter into this marriage and at the same time to live within the marriage free from violence and abuse.”

Domestic violence continues to be a leading cause of death and injury for American women, sponsors of the legislation say. They say that improved public education may help reduce violence in the home.

“There’s an erroneous assumption among some people that marriage makes one spouse the property of the other and that laws against violence somehow don’t apply,” said the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Lorraine Wojahn, D-Tacoma.

“By stating on the marriage license that spousal abuse can be a felony, we are making it clear that each party to the marriage is a free agent and will be protected under the law,” she said.

The measure also would mandate that marriage licenses say: “The laws against physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse and battery and assault, as well as other provisions of the criminal laws of this state, are applicable to spouses and other family members, and violations of these laws are punishable by either fine or imprisonment or both.”