S 0305 Joint Resolution, By Fair
 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE XVII OF THE
 CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE, SO
 AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN A COVENANT MARRIAGE THE GROUND FOR CONTINUOUS SEPARATION
 IS FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

   12/16/98  Senate Prefiled
   12/16/98  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/12/99  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-118
   01/12/99  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-118
   02/09/00  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary SJ-8
   02/15/00  Senate Amended SJ-17
   02/15/00  Senate Read second time SJ-17
   02/15/00  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-17

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED

February 15, 2000

S. 305

S. Printed 2/15/00--S.

Read the first time January 12, 1999.

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IN A COVENANT MARRIAGE THE GROUND FOR CONTINUOUS SEPARATION IS FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

Amend Title To Conform

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, or habitual drunkenness.; and in a covenant marriage, continuous separation must be for a period of at least two years."

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, relating to the grounds for divorce, be amended so as to provide that as a ground for divorce in a covenant marriage, continuous separation must be for a period of at least two years?

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'."