Michigan Republicans Fight Repeal Of Cohabitation Ban

The Guardian reports:

An attempt to repeal a Michigan law that punishes unmarried couples who live together is being thwarted by Republicans in the state legislature. The law, which dates to 1931, targets “any man or woman, not being married to each other, who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together”.

It is rarely enforced but violations carry a penalty of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Senate Bill 56, which seeks to repeal the law, attracted support from all state senate Democrats and half of Republicans. But nine Republicans voted against.

Edward McBroom [photo], a Republican, spoke in opposition to the bill on the senate floor – for, he said, the sake of the “common good”. He said: “This law was not passed to be mean … it was passed for the betterment of society, particularly for children.”

The Michigan Advance reports:

Senate Bill 56 would amend Section 750.335 of the 1931 Michigan Penal Code, which currently states: “Any man or woman, not being married to each other, who lewdly and lasciviously associates and cohabits together … is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.”

Referencing popular television shows and movies in the 1970s and 1980s, state Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) also spoke of his support for married households. He said its repeal is emblematic of society’s worsening moral issues.

Michigan Republicans fight effort to repeal ban on unmarried cohabitation https://t.co/0k33mj1NP6

— Guardian US (@GuardianUS) April 21, 2023