Cohabitation could soon be legal again in Florida, as Legislature sends repeal to governor

@ByKristenMClark

Florida lawmakers signed off on legislation Wednesday to repeal a 148-year-old law that prohibits unmarried couples from living together.

The Florida House passed the cohabitation repeal bill (SB 498) by a 112-5 vote, sending it to Republican Gov. Rick Scott for his signature. The Senate passed the bill last week unanimously.

Lawmakers have tried in previous years to repeal the law but have been unsuccessful.

Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, and Democratic Reps. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, of Tallahassee, and Richard Stark, of Weston, led the charge this year.

The Five Republicans who opposed it on the House floor were: Reps. Janet Adkins of Fernandina Beach, Brad Drake of Eucheeanna, Mike Hill of Pensacola Beach, Jennifer Sullivan of Mount Dora and Charles Van Zant of Keystone Heights.

Shortly after the vote, Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, changed his vote to "no" also, but that doesn't count in the official vote tally.