CHAPTER 143 HOUSE Substitute for SENATE BILL No. 486 An  Act concerning marriage; relating to common-law marriages; amending K.S.A. 2001
Supp. 23-101 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

      Section  1. K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 23-101 is hereby amended to read as
follows: 23-101. (a) The marriage contract is to be considered in law as a
civil contract between two parties who are of opposite sex. All other mar-
riages are declared to be contrary to the public policy of this state and
are void. The consent of the parties is essential. The marriage ceremony
may be regarded either as a civil ceremony or as a religious sacrament,
but the marriage relation shall only be entered into, maintained or ab-
rogated as provided by law.

      (b) The state of Kansas shall not recognize a common-law marriage
contract if either party to the marriage contract is under 18 years of age.

 Sec.  2. K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 23-101 is hereby repealed.

 Sec.  3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.

Approved May 17, 2002.
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