If Beatrice Saam had known her fiance had a history of domestic violence, she'd have thought twice before making vows to love, honor and cherish.

Now, Christopher Saam and his wife, Beatrice, are working to ensure that no one makes the same mistake she made in her previous marriage.

"Her second husband was a convicted abuser, and she didn't know it," he said. "She said she'd never have married him if she'd known." In January 2000, he said, the man "beat her, held her hostage and held her at gunpoint." Beatrice managed to escape a bad marriage, Saam said, but he's angry that no avenue existed to warn her before it was too late.

That's why the Lancaster city couple is pushing for new legislation to make that kind of information known before a wedding takes place.

"When you go to get a wedding license, they should do a criminal background check on both people," Saam said. "It was my wife's idea. That's why we call it the "Beatrice Law.'"

The Saams have solicited the support of U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, who represents Lancaster County, and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. Saam said they are "both receptive" to the proposed legislation.

"They didn't have any reservations about it," he said.

Derek Karchner, a spokesman for Pitts, said marriage licenses are a state-level issue, "so it's not something he could do anything about." However, he said the idea has merit.

"It's something that Congressman Pitts has supported in the past... because it would help prevent domestic violence, an issue that he cares about and has focused on as a member of Congress and as a member of the state House," Karchner said. "He would urge the state Legislature to act on this."

Pitts' primary concern, Karchner said, is the privacy issue.

"He supports the idea as long as privacy is protected," Karchner said. "He would want to see how records are accessed and how they are kept secure and private."

Saam said he also e-mailed First Lady Laura Bush to try to win her support, but said he hasn't heard back, except for a standard acknowledgement from the White House that the message was received.

The Pennsylvania Coalition for Domestic Abuse also has expressed its support, he said.

"If one girl thinks twice before they marry an abuser, it would be worth it," Saam said.

He said the law should only disclose information regarding convictions for abuse. He said he's not seeking a full disclosure on all criminal activity in a person's past.

"I guess if he's a murderer, then I guess they should be told," he said. "But it has to be a conviction." The law would protect both people in a relationship, Saam added.

"Women abuse men, too," he said. "My first wife used to throw stuff at me, and she hit me a lot."