Topeka ? The Kansas House on Thursday approved a “covenant marriage” measure.

State Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora, brought the proposal forward, saying it would help preserve marriages and families.

Brown said if couples entered into a covenant marriage then they could not get a no-fault divorce. And they would have to undergo counseling before seeking a divorce, he said. Entering into a covenant marriage would be optional under Brown’s proposal.

But opponents of the measure said that for those in a covenant marriage, it would require people who could be in dangerous marriages, to remain married.

“There will be a great deal of collateral damage by forcing people to stay in marriages,” said state Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, an attorney who handles divorce cases. He said the measure needed full hearings so that legislators could hear all sides of the issue.

Brown’s amendment was approved 65-54. It was put on a bill that dealt with reorganizing statutes on family issues and domestic violence. The bill was then approved 70-49.