A state lawmaker who wants to make it more difficult for parents to divorce said he initially had no idea that legislators a decade ago killed a similar proposal dubbed the “Dr. Laura” bill.
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he believes his proposal stands a better chance because it makes exceptions, such as in cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
The bill would require parents who have minor children and are considering divorce to first undergo educational instruction “that tells them how this impacts their children,” he said. Then there would be a waiting period before filing for divorce.
“We have made it just too easy to bail out of a marriage,” Lundberg said.
Colorado, like all states, has a no-fault divorce system, meaning proof or allegation of wrongdoing on the part of one spouse is not required. A person can be divorced within 90 days of filing, even if the other party is opposed.
A spokeswoman for the state’s largest family-law firm said the firm recommends counseling when it gets calls about divorce.
“I tell them, ‘A family counselor needs to be your first phone call; a family-law attorney needs to be your last one,’ ” said Heidi Culbertson, director of new-client development for the Harris Law Firm.
About 35 percent of people then browse the firm’s website for counselors, she said. Many initial callers are just exploring their options and never follow through.
Lundberg said he got the idea for the divorce bill while attending a legislative conference for socially conservative state lawmakers. Chris Gersten, chairman of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, made a presentation on the impact of divorce on children and ways to slow down the process through legislation.
Gersten, who worked in President George W. Bush’s administration and now lives outside Boulder, said he believes at least six state legislatures will consider divorce-cooling-off bills in 2012.
After deciding to carry the bill, Lundberg consulted former state Sen. Dave Schultheis of Colorado Springs, a conservative ally on a number of issues.
“I’m describing this to him, and Dave says, ‘That’s my bill. You’re talking about my bill,’ ” Lundberg said.
Schultheis introduced his bill in 2001; Lundberg took office two years later.
The Schultheis measure originally required divorcing parents to undergo a year of counseling at their own expense to understand the impact of a breakup on children. Women’s groups and domestic- violence counselors blasted the proposal. Although he modified it, he still couldn’t muster enough support from fellow Republicans to get it passed.
Schultheis’ decision to invite talk-radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger to support his bill attracted international attention and charges of hypocrisy. The family therapist is divorced and once had an affair with a married man. She responded in a letter that she was honored the measure had picked up the nickname the “Dr. Laura” bill.
Lundberg said he hadn’t thought about asking Schlessinger for her support.
“I wouldn’t turn it down,” he said. “I would love to have that kind of support for this effort. It deserves attention.”
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
