That’s Politics for You! Maryland Senate Rejects Orthodox Jewish Divorce Legislation after Giving It Initial Approval
After initially approving a Maryland divorce bill requiring Orthodox Jewish men to grant their wives a religious divorce when seeking a civil divorce, the state Senate had a double-take on Friday. Senate Bill 533 fell two votes short of passage after a 22-22 vote, according to a story in The Examiner. Last Wednesday, the Senate gave this Maryland divorce legislation its initial approval with a 35-10 vote.
Senator Rhona Kramer opposed this Maryland divorce bill, which she described as being well-intentioned but ultimately an issue of the state interfering with a religious issue. Senator Lisa Gladden proposed this legislation, which she called a matter of fairness and equity for Jewish women. Under Jewish law, a man must grant his soon-to-be ex-wife a divorce decree or “get” in order for her to date and remarry. In some instances, Jewish men have held this religious power over the heads of their wives to negotiate for better custody and visitation agreements.
Gladden called this problem a woman’s right issue. While Senator James Raskin admitted that the Jewish law was sexist, he said the divorce bill did not meet Supreme Court standards for the state to enter into play. Specifically, Raskin said that this Maryland divorce bill was not primarily secular in purpose or effect and ultimately put the state in the middle of a religious matter.
Similar Maryland divorce legislation has been sponsored in the state’s House of Representatives. We’ll keep you updated on all developments with this divorce legislation.
