Published: July 2, 2010

ALBANY - State legislators are making it easier to end a marriage in New York.

The Assembly on Thursday night overwhelmingly approved no-fault divorce, allowing couples to split without one of the spouses taking the blame for the marriage's failure.

"It just gives another option and allows couples to divorce with dignity where right now the system forces one of the members of the couple to be a bad person," said Assemblyman Jonathan Bing (D-Manhattan), the bill's sponsor.

The Assembly approved the measure 113 to 19. The Senate passed the plan two weeks ago.

A spokesman for Gov. Paterson said he will review it. Supporters are optimistic he will sign it.

New York was the last state in the nation without some form of no-fault divorce.

No-fault supporters, including the state Bar Association, argued the current system causes hardships because it forces couples to endure a one-year trial separation before divorcing - or one spouse must accuse the other of cruel treatment, adultery or abandonment.

The state chapter of the National Organization for Women and the Catholic Conference vehemently opposed the legislation.

"It makes it easier to get out of marriage than it is to get out of a cell phone contract," said Catholic Conference spokesman Dennis Poust.

The Assembly took up the no-fault legislation during a frantic, last day of session that saw dozens of bills approved, but little progress on resolving the state's budget morass.

The Legislature also approved a bill granting labor protections to domestic workers, and Paterson announced he would sign it.

Lawmakers also approved a bill, strongly opposed by business groups and utilities, requiring public utilities to pay janitorial and other service workers a prevailing wage. Critics charged that it would increase energy costs and drive businesses from the state.

Paterson also signed 4,700 vetoes for items the Legislature tucked into its budget bill, which he argued contained "irrational spending."