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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Colorado state lawmaker wants to try again to make it more difficult for parents to divorce.

Republican Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud said he believes his proposal stands a better chance of passing because it makes exceptions, including cases of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

"This bill doesn't stop divorces," Lundberg said. "This bill simply requires a careful, deliberate process when children are involved in that divorce."

Lundberg said his proposed Parental Divorce Restriction Act would require parents who have minor children and are considering divorce to first take about six hours of educational instruction, teaching them how divorce would impact children.

Yet those who deal with divorce every day said similar rules are already in place.

"We already require education," attorney Patricia Marrison of Marrison Family Law said. "Asking them to do so before they file for divorce and then again after is, in my opinion, silly."

Lundberg's bill would also slow down finalizing a divorce by six months to one year, which he said would allow parents to take time to "cool down" before making their decision.

"When there are kids involved" he said, "I believe there needs to be a very long, deliberate process to make sure everybody has thought this through."

Marrison disagreed and said that is what the 90-day hold time, which is part of Colorado's no-divorce system, is for.

"We already have this in place," she said. "The 90-day hold time allows parents time to cool off. Most people I've dealt with have been thinking about [divorce] for years before they come in here. I really think [the proposed bill] does then a disservice. It is a restriction on their personal freedom."

Lundberg said that is for lawmakers to decide and added he is looking forward to further discussion and debate.

A similar bill was proposed by Senator Dave Shultheis ten years ago, but died in 2001.

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