Unwed couples living together currently illegal - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Unwed couples living together currently illegal

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By Chris Thomas - email
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -

You may be breaking the law and not even realize it. It's currently illegal for unmarried couples to live together in Virginia, but a lawmaker is trying to change that.

Senator Adam Ebbin is pushing a bill to repeal the law that dates back more than a century. A Senate committee voted unanimously to repeal the law Monday.

"I actually did not know I was breaking the law," replied Parker Roach. "It's crazy."

Parker and Nisse are raising little one-year-old Laila. The couple is one of 140,000 Virginia couples who are living together illegally.

"It's crazy," said Parker. "It has to be some B.S."

We caught up with Sen. Ebbin who is pushing a bill to repeal the law that has been on the books since the 19th century.

"We have to face the reality of today and not the reality of 1877," said Sen. Ebbin. "It should have been done years ago, but this is the year it is going to happen."

Dr. Steve Parson with the Richmond Christian Center thinks repealing the law is a bad move.

"I think that's a bad idea," said Dr. Parson. "Leave the law like its. Now whether or not people abide by it... you can't make people, but leave the law like it is."

It is not likely you will see any blue lights because of the misdemeanor violation, but lawmakers and these couples agree they'll rest a lot easier when the issue is settled.

This law is actually on the books in three other states: Mississippi, Michigan and Florida. The repeal could head to the Senate as early as Thursday. 

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