On Tuesday, April 18, HB136, allowing no fault divorce, passed out of the House Civil Law and
Procedure Committee and will make its debut on the House floor Tuesday, April 25.
Your voice needs to be heard tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest! Leave a message for your Representative TONIGHT or call their office first thing tomorrow morning.
HB136 reduces the one-year waiting period to 180-days when seeking a divorce when children are involved. Proponents testified that “Louisiana’s waiting period was a failed experiment in reconciling marriages.” But we at Concerned Women for America of Louisiana believe, along with others, that this year-long period for those who seek counsel (from someone other than a divorce attorney) gives couples a better chance at reconciliation.
In addition, there is evidence that longer waiting periods lead to less divorce and benefit people who are ambivalent about getting divorced. Studies have shown that up to 1/3 of divorcing parents believe their marriage could be saved and would be open to help with reconciliation. This argues for longer waiting periods to allow time for this to occur.
Finally, since studies show that children of divorce are more likely to be in poverty and to live with their mothers, we believe that this additional time gives mothers more opportunity to establish themselves and their children prior to the potential cessation of spousal support.
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:6
Prayer: Pray that our legislators will look more closely at strengthening our families as well as focusing on the needs of the children as they vote on this issue.
Action: Please contact your representative tonight by leaving a message or call first thing in the morning. Ask him/her to VOTE NO on HB136. Click here to find out who your representative is and how to contact him/her. Be sure to identify yourself as a member of Concerned Women for America of Louisiana.
Stay informed! Go to la.cwfa.org or cwfa.org regularly to find out what we are doing on the state and nation levels.
Motivated by Love,
Sancha Noel Smith
State Director
CWA of Louisiana
director@louisiana.cwfa.org
la.cwfa.org