People who did not take the oath of marriage can now engage in sexual relations in the state of Utah as Governor Gary Hebert signed a bill which allows “fornication, adultery and sodomy”, KUTV reports.
The new legislative act, Senate Bill 43, also introduces a number of changes into the criminal code, regarding the “return of a marriage license to a county clerk, as well as criminal offences" and penalties relating to “clandestine drug labs” and “electronic harassment”.
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As the media outlet points out, "fornication" was previously considered a class B misdemeanour in the state of Utah, punishable by a fine of $1,000 and up to six months of jail time.
However, this law “wasn’t pursued by police”, KUTV notes.
When news of this development spread across social media, a number of netizens seemed both amused by it and puzzled by the fact that such ban previously existed in Utah.
How was it "illegal"? Was it ever enforced? Was every bedroom and hotel room monitored? How many cops would you need for that?
— A Light in the Dark (@CagedTigersRMad) 1 апреля 2019 г.
Boo! There goes my pick up line about being an outlaw!
— Mark (@PromoHack) 31 марта 2019 г.
There's a long gap between being illegal and not being legal. There has been no way Utah could enforce that for decades. It would have been quickly overturned by a federal Court. It's clearly an unconstitutional violation of freedom of association to start and I'm sure much more.
— Bill the Canadian 🇨🇦 (@Can_Skeptic_Wm) 30 марта 2019 г.
What, Utah enters the 21st century 😂
— Tannie (@Tannie66364346) 30 марта 2019 г.