Current Status Bill Number:4893 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19960410 Primary Sponsor:Easterday All Sponsors:Easterday, Herdklotz, Inabinett, Richardson, Cooper, Loftis, Gamble, Neilson, Spearman, Koon, Riser, Witherspoon and J. Hines Drafted Document Number:pfm\9184ac.96 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Divorce, counseling required before granting of
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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House 19960410 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-3-105 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO ORDER A HUSBAND AND WIFE TO ATTEND COUNSELING BEFORE GRANTING A FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE UNLESS THE COURT FINDS CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING AN EXCEPTION TO THIS REQUIREMENT.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 20-3-105. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, before granting a final decree of divorce the court shall order the husband and wife to attend counseling unless the court finds in its order circumstances which justify an exception to this requirement."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.