Virginia Bill Would Legalize Cohabitation Once and for All

Law is 'an outdated vestige from a different time'

Not that it would utterly transform the lives of a whole lot of folks in their twenties, but a bill being pushed in Virginia would finally erase from the books an old law banning cohabitation.

A Virginia law in place since 1877 disallows "any persons, not married to each other, [to] lewdly and lasciviously associate and cohabit together." And it's high time it be banished from the realm, say lawmakers Adam Ebbin and Del Scott Surovell, both Democrats, who admit the archaic legislation is almost never enforced at this late date. In fact the last time the law was cited was in the early 1990s, Ebbin explains, in a case involving a daycare provider who was threatened with a revoked license due to a live-in boyfriend.

"I thought it not only unnecessary but bizarre that Virginia would still have on its book a law essentially outlawing consenting adults from living together," said Ebbin. "It's obviously an outdated vestige from a very different time."

One part of the law that would remain, however, is the section banning "open and gross lewdness." In other words, public sex. As for public nudity, well, Virginia's politicos would have to consult California where that's concerned.

Via the Washington Post.

Posted 13:30 PST.

Is it important to repeal outdated laws like this rule against cohabitation?

[PNWest]

The state shouldn't be sticking it's nose into peoples business as long as they aren't hurting anyone.

[SavageMazx]

Could have said it better,

[SavageMazx]

@SavageMazx couldn't I ment couldn't...

[jessejaymes]

You boys need to settle down here. You know the Thumpers want religion running our country.

[SavageMazx]

@jessejaymes Thumpers....is that guys that shoot Barret 50 cals

[jessejaymes]

@SavageMazx Some of them do. Some put the confederate flag on the right and some put it on the left o the Podium. You just never know.

[thejimbo]

Only in Virginia folks!

[thejimbo]

Seriously though, I was born and raised in Virginia and this state still has a puritan religious element controlling it (mainly Republicans). It's in the process of becoming more progressive in some areas, but these ignorant and hypocritical religious nuts who run this state keep trying to send us back into the 19th century.

[PNWest]

It wasn't that long ago that the Supreme court overturned Texas's ban on sex toys. Only in Texas could you sell beer in a drive through, buy as many guns as you want but end up doing jail time for dildo possession. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23155562/

[stepped_in_it]

@PNWest Were these "assault" dildos with high cap mags....

[PNWest]

@stepped_in_it I can't think of a suitable response to that question that wouldn't get taken down immediately.

[thejimbo]

@PNWest Clever, clever!

[AceLuby]

It's important to repeal ALL outdated laws, especially those that are not enforced.

[Jet_Silverman]

I agree, I think not doing so breeds disrespect for the law.

[dances-weebles]

it would take to long... not only that, but state, federal and even some local lawmakers would get so bogged down laughing that they wouldn't be able to attend to the economy...(oh wait, they can't do that now)

anyway, start with the state of pa's outdated laws, and watch as it goes downhill from there:(in each state you'll find one or many goofy laws that are not only out dated, but so incredibly insipid that they could never been written by any sane person, or persons)

in new jersey you've got the 'masher laws' which state that women cannot wear, or have on their persons sharp objects such as hatpins with which to jab men who make passes at them.

in mass, it's still illegal for young women to perform on a high wire... except in the baptist church.

in ky it's still illegal for a young woman to travel down a public highway wearing a bathing suit unless she's either on horseback, or accompanied by a large, strong man carrying a club... it was later amended to say,'unless she is either extremely ugly or very fat'.

and in memphis tn. it's illegal to sell teddy bears (and other stuffed toys) on sunday.

in lake station, indiana it's illegal for stores and restaurants to sell any foods in a bag on sundays.(no crisps, and no mcdonalds to go)

[CommonSense]

@dances-weebles
Why can't they first change the laws about how often they meet?, about how voting is done so that line item-based voting can be allowed and so filibustering can be limited so each issue is simply: a majority assembled agree with a provision, the debate time is up, it passes
Then they'd have plenty of time. Our politicians are not justified sitting on their ass as much as they do. City councils, Legislatures, and Congress need to meet more often and for longer periods of time. Then they'd actually have time to read the bills they pass.

[dances-weebles]

@CommonSense well, to me it seems that the more ass sitting that they do, the more raises then vote for themselves. they sure never seem to try to block those votes.

[CommonSense]

@dances-weebles
That's why we should have an elected separate institution every year that determines congressional and presidential pay.

[Knightkore]

Will this create more jobs?

[DARSB]

If they kept it on the books AND enforced it jobs would be created - in the moving van companies. ;)

[Knightkore]

@DARSB LOL!

[marine1]

@DARSB Yeh, like parking wars,what kind of a boot would be involved?:}

[SomethinsFishy]

In New Mexico, cohabitation is STILL illegal. I thought we were the only ones with this stupid law on the books! Goes to show you....

[stepped_in_it]

Most states and the feds have many outdated laws on the books.....
Example for TN: It is illegal for a male in Nashville to have an erection in public.
Find your own states outdated laws....google <your state> outdated laws and post 'em

[dances-weebles]

in arkansas it's illegal to tie a mule to the back of a moving truck

[Yank]

It is important to repeal laws that out law acts that people commonly engage in. Otherwise you may alway run the risk of some one actually enforcing them some day.

P.S. VA now make it legal to wash a mule on Sunday!

[DerivePI]

If a law is not enforced then it only harms the law abider and rewards the law breaker. Eliminate or enforce all laws.

[AlexMIA]

I'm disappointed! They left the funnest part banned!

[Raptor]

Virginia would finally erase from the books an old law banning cohabitation, thats grate, they have made it to the 20th century, who knows maybe one day they will make it to the 21st century. LOL

[jessejaymes]

I think there has to be a federal law governing all states that no new law can be passed without repealing 3 other laws prior to passing the new law. First three 1.) Repeal automatic raises for congress. 2.) Repeal the Patriot Act 3.) repeal the right for congress to write hot checks at the Senate Bank.

[WattheTyler]

Virginia really is a backwards state. It has some of the most backwards insane laws in the nation.

[WMCOL]

Jerry Falwell is squirming in his grave.

[stephen]

law is the law

[dances-weebles]

yeah, you're probably right. here are some laws for you to follow
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/02/17-r...

[harold_lloyd]

It's nice to see common sense in government.

[MadAmerican]

If gays can have it why not? Also why are single people punished with reduced tax benefits over married people? To me that is unconstitutuional.

[Medicinebow]

I believe it is important to review all laws at certain intevals to see it they still possess some validity. And Va. isn't that backwards.

[whataGOVwehave]

She's my roommate.....we hot cot it.

[PayThatCEO]

Is the removal of this law going to do anything productive for anyone? I mean, people have been cohabitating for decades and the law doesn't seem to have hindered them.

I work for a company that allows same-sex partner benefits..meaning if you're gay and in a relationship you can put your partner on your health insurance. HOWEVER, if you're straight and in a non-marital long-term relationship you cannot put your partner on your health insurance. As long as two people can demonstrate cohabitation then there should be no difference in the way they are treated. Marriage should not be a requirement for a people having a marriage type arrangement.