MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A state senator in Alabama has pre-filed a bill mandating couples to attend a conflict resolution class before marriage.
Alabama State Senator Rodger Smitherman of Birmingham pre-filed a bill requiring couples to attend a conflict resolution class before getting married.
Currently, there are just two requirements to get married in the state of Alabama.
You must obtain a marriage license and pay a recording fee.
Senator Smitherman wants to change that.
“If we have conflict, we are going to solve that in a very humane, nonviolent, nonabusive manner and that’s what we’re trying to establish with this bill,” he said.
Smitherman said his goal is to reduce domestic violence.
“If you have someone who has been exposed to how to resolve resolutions other than resorting to a weapon, assault, whether it be verbal or abusive…if you say you want this, then this bill is worth it,” Smitherman said.
He acknowledged a concern with the bill is couples will have to pay for the classes themselves and as of right now, there is no estimate on how much this will cost.
Smitherman said he wants to make the classes affordable.
Right now, the marriage license and recording fee for marriage in Mobile County is $73.
A few locals have concerns with the bill.
“I can’t afford groceries right now so I mean yeah, they should pay for it through the state. I think that they should take the class but I think that if they’re gonna make it happen as a law, they should pay for it as a fund of the state,” said one local.
“I don’t know that it should be mandated to take conflict resolution,” said Irvin Allen.
Others think it might be a good idea.
“Better to be aware of things, to be aware of each other and be prepared for whatever problems come up so you can deal with them, rather than to go to divorce,” said another local.
“Conflict resolution, some people are better at it than others,” said Cory Donehue. “You know, some people might walk away from conflict and I think the best solution is to sit down and talk and you know, hear one another and listen to one another and learn from each other. And I think that’s very beneficial to have a true, good relationship and then go into a marriage with that.”
According to the Institute for Family Studies, 10 other states in the U.S. have implemented some form of premarital education policies.
But if this bill passed, Alabama would be the first state to specifically focus on premarital conflict resolution.
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