A bill prohibiting marriage between first cousins is on its way to the Tennessee governor's desk after the state house voted overwhelmingly to pass the measure. The bill sponsor, a Democratic representative, explained that the bill aims to update a law enacted by the state's General Assembly in 1829.
The proposed change would substitute the language 'nor the child of a grandparent' with 'nor the lineal descendant of a grandparent,' effectively prohibiting marriage between first cousins. This adjustment seeks to close a loophole that was identified in a 1960 opinion by Tennessee's attorney general, which stated that the 1829 statute did not explicitly ban marriage between cousins.
During the discussion on the house floor, the bill sponsor expressed the need to address this historical oversight and ensure that the law reflects contemporary societal norms. The bill received strong support from the majority of representatives, with a vote of 75-2 in favor of its passage.
However, one Republican representative raised concerns about the lack of a 'compelling state interest' in prohibiting same-sex cousins from marrying. He argued that without further amendment, the bill could potentially conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision on same-sex marriage.
In response, the bill sponsor clarified that the primary focus of the bill was to address the prohibition of marriage between first cousins, without specific reference to public health concerns. The bill now awaits the signature of Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to become law.
