Oklahoma bill would require test for STDs before marriage

A proposed Oklahoma bill would require engaged couples to complete a blood test before they can receive a marriage license.

Senate Bill 733, authored by Sen. Anthony Sykes, will also require couples to file an affidavit sworn statement with a court clerk and from a licensed physician to indicate that applicants either do not have any communicable diseases or that his or her partner is aware of the disease.

Freshmen Counselor Kendall Mayes said he believes the legislation would be unnecessary and intrusive.

“I don’t think everyone should be required to take a blood test because most people have the STD conversation with their significant other,” Mayes said. “Although, for some people this bill would be tremendously helpful.”

Partnerships are built on fundamental virtues that all couples work towards for a healthy relationship, according to Mayes.

“I do think it is wise for couples to talk about their past and who they have been involved with, it would be one heck of a shock if the couple did not have the conversation and planned on tying the knot,” Mayes said.

Professor of Psychology Ryan Newell has been a couple and family therapist since 1986 and went through the same protective measure when marrying his own wife.

“Most states do require a blood test in order to get a marriage license and to probably notify a person if they are marrying someone related to them,” Newell said.

In Newell’s past counseling experience, he has seen how STDs affect relationships.

“Of course it depends on how far along the couple is in the relationship and when he or she has found out about the STD,” Newell said.

Newell said couples want to know about their partner’s past, but are unaware of the emotions and baggage that comes with the news.

“When couples keep secrets about their past sexual history, it is hard for a couple to be truly honest with each other,” Newell said.

Even when couples are honest with their spouse about an infectious disease, STDs complicate relationships and carry around the stigma of infidelity, according to Newell.

“If a woman chooses to marry her fiancée knowing that he has contracted an STD from a previous relationship, she can not bring it up later in life when times get tough,” Newell said. “It will suck the life right out of their marriage.”

Newell said the presence of an STD is not an immediate sign that a relationship will not work, though.

“Statistically speaking, a lot of couples make it through and it also depends on the specific situation,” Newell said. “Regardless of the trust issues that arise, a healthy relationship will find ways to get past it.”

Sheldon Adkins, Oklahoma Christian University Health Center staff counselor, said he has seen couples encountered STD problems.

“I would hope that couples are honest with each other if they have an STD and that they would care enough about themselves and the other person to communicate openly about the subject,” Adkins said.

Adkins said STDs affect more than just physical health.

“These diseases are not only infectious to the body, but also to the relationship,” Adkins said. “My personal belief is that a marriage is going to be healthier if the couple does not have multiple partners.”

In most cases, STDs are contracted by unprotected sex with various partners.

“Having several partners is not necessarily a precursor for unhealthy marriages, but it does create obstacles for the relationship,” Adkins said.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review and will be decided at a later time.

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