Louisiana became the first state to provide for this type of marriage in 1997. Arizona passed its law in 1998 and then Arkansas passed its law allowing covenant marriages in 2001 (Arkansas law A.C.A. 9-11-803(a)(1) states: “A covenant marriage is a marriage entered into by 1 male and 1 female who understand and agree that the marriage between them is a lifelong relationship.”) Bills authorizing covenant marriages have been introduced in several other states but have not yet passed.