Current Status Bill Number:961 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19980128 Primary Sponsor:Fair All Sponsors:Fair, Martin and J. Verne Smith Drafted Document Number:psd\7117ac.98 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 11 SJ Subject:Divorce, covenant marriage granted grounds for separation for period of two years; Domestic Relations
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19980128 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
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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.
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 a 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 a 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'."