Virginia House passes repeal of cohabitation ban
RICHMOND — Unmarried couples living together may soon be doing so legally under a measure that passed the General Assembly today.
The House voted 62-25 in favor of repealing the law making it illegal for unmarried couples to live together. Virginia code says doing so is punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and up to a year in jail for subsequent infractions.
The U.S. Supreme Court has deemed the law unconstitutional, and prosecutors haven’t used it for years, said Del. Scott Surovell, a Fairfax County Democrat.
“This statute has not been used for anything for decades,” Surovell said. “It needs to come off the books.”
SB969 will now go to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has said he supports the repeal.
– Kathy Adams, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
February 20, 2013 - 7:19 PM
Who were the 25 rubes who voted against?
NAYS–Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Cline, Cole, Edmunds, Garrett, Gilbert, Head, Helsel, Joannou, Johnson, Landes, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Minchew, Pogge, Poindexter, Putney, Ramadan, Ransone, Sherwood, Spruill, Ware, R.L., Wilt, Wright–25.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
NOT VOTING–Albo, BaCote, Byron, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Fariss, Jones, Kilgore, Lingamfelter, Massie, Purkey, Watts–13.
Glad you asked the question Drew. Re-affirms my belief that Crockett-Stark who is my house rep needs to go. A “not voting” is just as bad as a no vote in my opinion.
I know of a couple who received a “warning” letter from their neighborhood association in Campbell County about their cohabitation, just a few years ago.
Without looking, you know that Bob Marshall has to be one of them.
NAYS–Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Cline, Cole, Edmunds, Garrett, Gilbert, Head, Helsel, Joannou, Johnson, Landes, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Minchew, Pogge, Poindexter, Putney, Ramadan, Ransone, Sherwood, Spruill, Ware, R.L., Wilt, Wright–25
@ gdad that was hilarious, as I thought the same thing
Why are they wasting more time on pointless legislation? Without nullification can they even enforce laws that are deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court? So would it even matter anyways if it was “on the books”?
Much like laws banning gay marriage, what business is it of the state, oh limited government folks?
Come on, OJ, is it involves people having wonton sex, don’t you know that the government should ALWAYS be involved.