Thursday, April 3, 2003

North Dakota Senate won't repeal state's anti-cohabitation law

A story broadcast today by KFYR-TV News reports that even though it is almost never enforced, the North Dakota Senate wants to keep a law that makes it a crime for unmarried couples to live together.

Senators rejected a proposal to repeal the law.

Lawmakers who want to keep the law say a repeal would harm North Dakota families and increase the risk of domestic abuse and divorce.

Grand Forks Senator Linda Christenson says if an unmarried couple decides to live together, it's nobody else's business. She says it's impossible for police to enforce the law without violating a couple's privacy.

Crosby Senator John Andrist says the law sends a message about what's right and what's wrong.
He says just because a law is unenforceable it doesn't mean it should be repealed.