Amendment Passes Mississippi House To Clarify Domestic Abuse In Divorce Cases

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI-TV) – There’s movement Monday afternoon toward a clearer definition for domestic abuse in Mississippi divorce cases.

Lawmakers say today’s actions will help victims.

An amendment to a bill clarifies what evidence judges can look at in divorce cases for what would be considered abusive physical and non-physical conduct. It also says victims can testify as witnesses.

The amendment is in Senate Bill 2680, which the House passed unanimously Monday. Its original purpose is to clarify placement options for abused and neglected children. It will now go back to the Senate.

Republican Representative Andy Gipson proposed this change. He faced criticism last week after killing a bill that would have directly added domestic violence as grounds for divorce.

“These guidelines will provide real and immediate help to domestic violence victims, as well as assistance to judges statewide as they consider domestic abuse divorce cases,” Gipson said in a statement.

“Habitual cruel and inhuman treatment” is already grounds for divorce in Mississippi.