Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, a Braxton Republican, says domestic abuse is already covered under "habitual cruel and inhuman treatment." He says the bill doesn't define domestic abuse narrowly enough. File Photo
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A bill adding domestic abuse as grounds for divorce has died in committee.
Senate Bill 2703 , which passed the Mississippi Senate, wasn't taken up Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee Division B at a deadline for legislation to move ahead.
Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, a Braxton Republican, says domestic abuse is already covered under "habitual cruel and inhuman treatment." He says the bill doesn't define domestic abuse narrowly enough.
Mississippi currently has 12 reasons for divorce, including adultery, impotence and habitual drunkenness. But people can struggle to divorce if both spouses don't consent.
Senate Bill 2702 died in the Senate. It would have added separation for three months without intent to return as grounds for divorce.
Gipson says Mississippi should encourage married couples to stay together rather than ease divorce.
Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More like this story
- Abusers Get Another Divorce Pass from #MSLeg, But Senator Pushes Back
- Lawmaker Flips to Support Domestic Abuse as Divorce Reason
- Domestic Abuse May Become Grounds for Divorce in Mississippi
- Tort Reform, Sexual Assault Prevention and Fantasy Sports Bills Move Forward
- The 2017 Legislature’s Lasting Effects on Mississippians
Support our reporting -- Follow the MFP.
