February 19, 2020, 9:01 PM<\/p>\n
2 min read<\/p>\n
The Utah Senate unanimously passed a bill that effectively decriminalizes polygamy between consenting adults.<\/p>\n
The bill would make polygamy an infraction, amending the current penalty punishable by up to five years in prison. Republican Sen. Deidre Henderson sponsored the bill.<\/p>\n
It passed Tuesday and now will make its way to the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Republican Sen. Deidre Henderson looks on during a hearing, Feb. 10, 2020, in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n
Polygamy is most often considered to be a relationship between one man and multiple women, whom he claims are his wives.<\/p>\n
Cases where an arrangement stems from threat or coercion, or occurs under fraudulent pretenses, would remain a third-degree felony.<\/p>\n
The bill did draw criticism, with some arguing that it wouldn't do enough to protect victims in underage marriages, according to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n
Some 30,000 people are believed to be living in polygamous communities in Utah, the AP reported. The state's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practiced polygamy in its early days, but abandoned and disavowed the practice in 1890.<\/p>\n
Representatives from Utah's State or House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from ABC News.<\/p>\n
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