A new bill in Tennessee’s House of Representatives is causing a stir, as it aims to make first cousin marriages illegal. The proposal has sparked a fierce debate among lawmakers, especially after some suggested amendments to allow cousin marriages under certain conditions, such as genetic counseling. Let’s take a closer look at the new bill, the arguments surrounding it, and how it could affect residents of Tennessee.
What Does the New Bill Say?
The new bill seeks to ban marriages between first cousins in Tennessee. Representative Gino Bulso from Brentwood proposed an amendment to allow cousin marriages under specific conditions. His suggestion was that cousins could marry if they underwent genetic counseling with a licensed expert beforehand.
Bulso argued that the primary purpose of the bill is to protect public health, particularly to reduce the risk of birth defects in children born to first cousins. However, he also clarified that this risk is lower than what many people believe.
Arguments for the Amendment
Representative Bulso believes that if cousins are allowed to marry, they should first be educated about the potential health risks. He used an interesting point to support his case: Same-sex cousins (like two men or two women) cannot biologically have children together, so there is no health risk in those marriages.
He also referenced a study from the Journal of Genetic Counseling that showed the risk of birth defects in children born to first cousins is relatively low, between 1.7% and 2.8%. According to Bulso, if cousins are properly informed about these risks and receive genetic counseling, they should be allowed to marry.
Lawmakers Reject the Amendment
Despite Bulso’s arguments, his proposed amendment was quickly rejected. Representative John Ray Clemmons from Nashville made a motion to remove the amendment, which was supported by other lawmakers. Following that, the original bill to ban cousin marriages passed. Only two lawmakers—Bulso and Representative Monty Fritts from Kingston—voted against the bill.
Why Was This Bill Introduced?
The bill was introduced by Representative Darren Jernigan from Old Hickory. Jernigan explained that cousin marriages were still legal in Tennessee due to a 1960 court decision, which ruled that such marriages did not violate any state laws. However, he believes it is time for Tennessee to update its laws, especially in light of public health concerns and modern standards.
What Happens Next?
Now that the bill has passed the Tennessee House of Representatives, it will be sent to Governor Bill Lee for approval. If Governor Lee signs the bill, it will become law, and marriages between first cousins will no longer be allowed in Tennessee.
This marks a significant change in Tennessee’s marriage laws. While there were attempts to allow cousin marriages with conditions like genetic counseling, the majority of lawmakers decided to ban them completely. This debate highlights the challenge lawmakers face in balancing public health, legal rights, and tradition. As the bill moves toward becoming law, it signals that Tennessee is taking a stricter approach to marriage laws.
The passing of this bill to ban first cousin marriages in Tennessee reflects how states are rethinking their marriage laws in modern times. Despite efforts to include exceptions for cousin marriages based on genetic counseling, Tennessee is moving toward more restrictive rules. This decision could significantly affect individuals who had planned to marry their cousins in the state and shows the ongoing shifts in how marriage laws are being shaped.
