Unmarried couples are a step closer to being able to legally live together in Michigan. That's under a bill passed in the state Senate today.
An old state law bans men and women "lewdly and lasciviously" associating and living together.
Bill sponsors say that's had tax implications for unmarried couples since federal policy prevents claiming someone as a dependent if that relationship is against state law.
Democratic Senator Stephanie Chang sponsors the legislation to remove the ban. She says it's an out-of-date policy. "This bill is not about a moral issue, it's not about changing people's behavior, it's not about marriage rates, it's really about bringing us into the 21st century."
Critics of the repeal argue it could affect the traditional family structure.