" “Cohabitation” of unmarried people is currently a second-degree misdemeanor in the U.S. state, punishable by $500 or up to 60 days in jail. The same penalty applies to cheating husbands and wives—though only to opposite-sex couples.
The laws have been on the books since the late 1800s, but are rarely enforced. In 2006, though, a Jacksonville woman did take advantage of the law and have her husband arrested for cheating, according to a news report. (It’s not clear how the case came out.)
Now, Rep. Ritch Workman, a Republican from Melbourne, is on a mission to repeal the statutes penalizing adultery and cohabitation, as well as other laws he finds outdated, such as a requirement that all bicycle riders keep one hand on the handle bars."
" The bill has no Senate counterpart. And given the almost-certain opposition of social conservatives who lobby hard on “family values” issues, it’ll face tough sledding in an election year.
Consider the response of State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who previously headed the Florida chapter of the Christian Coalition: “I’m not ready to give up on monogamy and a cultural statement that marriage still matters,” he said. "
I truly applaud Rep Workman for trying to repeal outdated laws (even if they are rarely applied and it's almost a moot point in this day and age with all the other issues that are going on). However, I wonder how this would play out if it actually gained momentum. I live with my boyfriend and my parents lived together before they were married. In fact, in some places in michigan (and I'm sure elsewhere), it's more common to be unmarried than married and living together. I really couldn't imagine marrying someone without living with them beforehand.
What do you guys think? Is it a waste of time? Is it necessary to repeal these outdated laws? Do you think it will go anywhere? If so, what will it mean for Republicans (in Florida or in general), if anything?
ETA: Sorry, for some reason, the quotes are working properly.
