H 3111 Joint Resolution, By W.J. McLeod, Cobb-Hunter, McKnight, M.S. McLeod, 
Bannister, Hixon, Spires, Gagnon, J.E. Smith, Herbkersman, Knight, Murphy, 
Brannon, McCoy, Horne, Norrell, Rutherford, Jefferson, Weeks, D.C. Moss, 
Bernstein, Whipper and Hicks
 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE XVII OF THE
 CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE, SO AS
 TO PROVIDE THAT A DIVORCE MAY BE GRANTED ON THE GROUND OF CONTINUOUS
 SEPARATION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS RATHER THAN ONE YEAR.

   12/11/14  House  Prefiled
   12/11/14  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/13/15  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 99)
   01/13/15  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 99)
   03/17/15  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor:
                     Bannister, Hixon, Spires, Gagnon, J.E.Smith,
                     Herbkersman, Knight, Murphy, Brannon, McCoy,
                     Horne, Norrell, Rutherford, Jefferson, Weeks,
                     D.C.Moss, Bernstein, Whipper, Hicks

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A DIVORCE MAY BE GRANTED ON THE GROUND OF CONTINUOUS SEPARATION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS RATHER THAN ONE YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    It is proposed that Section 3, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 3.    Divorces from the bonds of matrimony shall be allowed on the grounds of adultery, desertion, physical cruelty, continuous separation for a period of at least one year one hundred eighty days or habitual drunkenness."

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Section 3, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that a divorce may be granted on the ground of continuous separation for a period of at least one hundred eighty days, rather than on the ground of continuous separation for a period of at least one year?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."