BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hartnett
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, there is a 60 day waiting period between an order for divorce and its effective date. This allows for deliberation and reconciliation between the parties. However, if one of the parties has a history of assault or threatening the other spouse, this waiting period leaves that spouse in a continuing situation for further abuse.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 3632 provides an exception to the 60 day waiting period authorizing a court to grant a divorce when the respondent has been finally convicted of an offense an element of which included the respondent assaulting or threatening the petitioner.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.