Criminal Coercive Control
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill seeks to expand the legal definition of "coercive control" and related behaviors within South Carolina law. It amends existing statutes to include coercive control as a form of abuse and domestic violence, specifically targeting patterns of behavior that unreasonably interfere with a person’s free will and personal liberty. The bill also broadens the definition of ‘household member’ to include individuals in dating relationships and introduces changes to divorce grounds to encompass criminal domestic violence, stalking, and harassment.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘dating relationship’ to include romantic relationships without necessarily requiring sexual involvement.
- Adds ‘coercive control’ as a form of abuse and domestic violence, outlining specific behaviors that constitute coercive control.
- Expands the definition of ‘household member’ to include individuals in dating relationships.
- Includes criminal domestic violence, stalking, and harassment as grounds for divorce.
- Incorporates stalking and harassment into the definitions of ‘abuse’ and ‘coercive control’ within the broader context of family law.
- Modifies custody orders to consider the impact of coercive behavior by parents on a child’s best interests.
- Clarifies that protection orders do not apply to actions taken pursuant to court orders or law enforcement directives.
- Updates the definition of ‘household member’ to include former spouses.
Who is affected
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