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Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1997 SESSION
974254350WHEREAS, in 1972 Virginia law was changed to allow no-fault divorce after a one-year separation if there are no children of the marriage; and
WHEREAS, currently such divorces may take place whether or not there are children of the marriage; and
WHEREAS, between the years 1960 and 1992, divorces in Virginia increased by 300%; and
WHEREAS, children of single-parent households have a significantly higher incidence of health and educational problems, emotional difficulties, and drug abuse; and
WHEREAS, 40% of Virginia's single-parent families live in poverty: and
WHEREAS, while women experience a drop in income after divorce, men's income increases; and
WHEREAS, serious consideration should be given to restricting the ease with which a no-fault divorce may be procured; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the statutes and caselaw governing no-fault divorce. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of five members to be appointed as follows: three members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 3,000.
The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the, upon request.
The subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.
Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.