Domestic abuse divorce bill moves ahead

JACKSON -- A bill defining domestic violence in is on its way to the governor's desk.

Senate Bill 2680 is the first time domestic violence has been specifically codified in divorce statute. It falls under the grounds of "habitual cruel and inhuman treatment." It allows just one witness to establish abuse after just one incident. It also allows for emotional and financial abuse to count as grounds for divorce.

The bill technically deals with child abuse. Originally, a different bill from Sen. Sally Doty, a Republican from Brookhaven, made domestic violence grounds for divorce. However, Rep. Andy Gipson, a Republican from Braxton, killed it in committee, worrying it was nonspecific and would cause divorces. After public outcry, Gipson tacked the domestic abuse amendment on to the child abuse bill.