MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Couples seeking a divorce would have a difficult time and face additional hurdles if they opt for a so-called covenant marriage proposed in a bill before the Alabama Legislature.

The measure would require couples entering into a covenant marriage to enter counseling before they're married, and then attend counseling if they want to get a divorce. It also limits the reasons for which married couples can divorce.

"(The bill) was designed in part to say that we believe the family unit is the backbone of our society and is worth preserving," said sponsor Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City. "It simply provides an option, and I stress, it's simply an option."

Williams said he thinks the proposal is necessary because of Alabama's high divorce rate.

According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama has the fourth-highest divorce rate in the country, with 12.7 divorces per 1000 marriages.

Some legislators question the timing and necessity of the bill.

"Just don't feel like it's necessary," said Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, who was the sole "no" vote when the bill was approved in committee on Wednesday. "When people get married, they make a pact before God. Seems like when you get married, you pledge to stay married. I don't see the need for a super contract."

Birmingham Democrat Rep. Patricia Todd pondered whether it was something the Alabama Legislature really needed to address while facing drastic budget cuts.

"This is just bizarre to me, that we're thinking about this when we need to raise revenue to be able to avoid cuts to DHR (the Department of Human Resources) and mental health programs — it's ridiculous," she said.

Todd, the only openly-gay lawmaker in the state Legislature, said she would offer an amendment to allow same-sex couples to enter into the same deal if the bill made it to the House.

Williams said he has received overwhelming support from conservative groups and constituents and that naysayers are in the minority.

If passed into law, the bill would limit the circumstances in which married couples could seek divorce. Those include:

— One spouse has committed adultery

— A spouse abandons the shared home and refuses to return for at least one year

— The other spouse physically, emotionally or sexually abuses the spouse seeking divorce or one of the couple's children

— The spouses have been living apart for at least two years

The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence had opposed the bill, but worked with Sen. Williams to make changes. Executive Director Carol Gundlach says the group is still only neutral. She believes it's a barrier to people leaving abusive relationships.

"We're not thrilled with this bill," she said. "But it's much better than it was when introduced."

Williams amended the measure to specify that victims of domestic violence would not have to attend counseling with their abuser before seeking a divorce, and they would not be required to continue to live in the same household.

"We would really support legislation that required counseling and a waiting period prior to entering marriage, but doing it on the back end is almost always going to increase barriers to victims trying to get out of a relationship," Gundlach said.

Andy Brownfield of The Associated Press wrote this report.