SB 737 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Marriage - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act" to create covenant marriage, which is entered into by one male and one female, who understand and agree that marriage is a lifelong relationship; permits a spouse in a covenant marriage to obtain a judgment of divorce under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 10; Title 16; Title 36; Title 39; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 737 creates a new "covenant marriage" option in Tennessee, requiring couples to undergo specific premarital counseling emphasizing marriage as a lifelong commitment. To enter a covenant marriage, couples must sign a declaration stating they understand marriage is for life and commit to counseling before seeking divorce. Divorce is only permitted if there is a "complete breach" of the marital covenant, such as abandonment or criminal behavior. This option applies only to couples who choose it when applying for a marriage license or later converting an existing marriage through a county clerk filing.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 2027
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Pody
Mark Pody
RRepublican
TN
17