A new bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives aims to make it illegal for first cousins to marry. This move has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, especially after some proposed an amendment to allow cousin marriages under certain conditions, like genetic counseling. Here’s what the new bill says, the arguments behind it, and how it might affect Tennessee residents.
What Does the New Bill Say?
The primary goal of this new bill is to ban marriages between first cousins in Tennessee. However, Representative Gino Bulso from Brentwood proposed an amendment to make exceptions. He suggested that first cousins could marry if they went through genetic counseling with a licensed medical expert first.
Bulso explained that the main aim of the bill is to protect public health. According to him, children born to first cousins may have a higher chance of birth defects. However, he also pointed out that this risk is lower than many people believe.
Arguments for the Amendment
Representative Bulso argued that if cousins marry, they should first be informed of the potential health risks. He used an interesting point to support his position, saying that same-sex cousins (like two men or two women) can’t 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 stated the risk of birth defects in children born to first cousins is relatively low, ranging from 1.7% to 2.8%. Bulso believed that with proper understanding of these risks and professional genetic counseling, first cousins 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. After this, 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 first introduced by Representative Darren Jernigan from Old Hickory. Jernigan explained that cousin marriages were still allowed in Tennessee because of a 1960 legal decision that ruled such marriages didn’t violate any state laws. He believes that it’s time for Tennessee to update its laws, particularly to address public health concerns and align with modern standards.
What Happens Next?
The bill has now passed the Tennessee House of Representatives and will move on to Governor Bill Lee for approval. If Governor Lee signs the bill, it will become state law, and marriages between first cousins will no longer be allowed.
This marks a significant shift in Tennessee’s marriage laws. While there were some attempts to allow cousin marriages with specific conditions like genetic counseling, the majority of lawmakers voted to fully ban them. This debate highlights the challenge lawmakers face in balancing public health, legal rights, and tradition. As the bill moves toward becoming law, it’s clear that Tennessee is working to change its legal approach to marriage.
The passing of this bill to ban first cousin marriages in Tennessee shows how states are reevaluating their marriage laws. Despite the effort to add exceptions based on genetic counseling, the state is moving toward stricter rules. This development may have a big impact on people who were considering cousin marriages in Tennessee, and it signals a shift in how marriage laws are approached in modern times.
