Two Republican legislators in North Carolina are proposing a bill that would make it even more difficult for couples in the state to get a divorce, the News & Observer reported Friday.
The Healthy Marriage Act, sponsored by state Sens. Austin Allran (R) and Warren Daniel, would extend the waiting period to two years before a divorce in the state would become finalized. North Carolinians already have to wait one year before they are granted a divorce.
During the two year waiting period, the law would require couples to take courses designed improve communication skills and conflict resolution. Couples with children would have to take a four hour course on the negative effects that divorce can have on kids.
The News & Observer noted another part of the proposed legislation with unknown implications:
It would also strike from the current law a provision that says “isolated incidents of sexual intercourse” don’t count against the one-year waiting period. It’s not clear if that means an occasional fling with your estranged partner does count against you under the proposed law.
