Lawmaker Sally Kern Wants to Make it Tougher to Get a Divorce in Oklahoma

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to put tighter restrictions on couples seeking a divorce.

State Representative Sally Kern is seeking to limit the "incompatibility" rule for getting a divorce.

Read the proposed bill.

There are several reasons a person can seek a divorce such as adultery or extreme cruelty, but when it comes to incompatibility Kern says there should be some stipulations.

Sally Kern is no stranger to controversy. She equated gays with terrorists and called for a state proclamation on morality.

Now Kern is taking on divorce.

"This bill will just put the brakes on a divorce being granted immediately," Kern said. "It does not say or intend to mean a divorce will never be given."

Kern has filed House Bill 2279 under the incompatibility provision she says a divorce should not be granted if there are living minor children in the marriage, the parties have been married 10 years or longer or if either party files a written objection to the divorce.

Kern says her overall goal is to protect children.

"When minor children are involved, parents need to think a little bit beyond just themselves," said Kern. "They have a responsibility and an obligation to those children."

Historically, Oklahoma has ranked high when it comes to divorce. The Oklahoma Marriage Initiative works to keep couples together.

"We have focused not on legislation, but on providing skills, but we certainly commend the lawmakers for thinking creatively about potential strategies as well," Kendy Cox with the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative said.

But not everyone sees it that way.

"If this isn't big government, I don't know what it is," Chuck Thornton with the American Civil Liberties Union said.

The local chapter of the ACLU says Kern's rational for protecting children doesn't fly and they expect there will be legal challenges to the proposed legislation.

"We're talking about one of the most treasured associational rights that a person has as being married and here comes a so-called conservative trying to stick her nose in the most private of associational matters," Thornton said.

If Kern gets her way the measure will become law November 1.

More on News9.com:

ACLU Investigates Rep. Sally Kern | Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern's Views on Homosexuality Ignite Controversy Again