I have been tracking legislation currently being considered in Annapolis that would benefit military families. Here are two bills we should be supporting that have passed their first chamber and are scheduled for hearings in the other chamber:
- HB1185, which reduces the residency requirement to file for an Absolute (final) Divorce in Maryland from 12 to 6 months, which helps military divorcing couples who are transient by definition. Text:http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/bills/hb/hb1185F.pdf
It passed in the House of Delegates and a Hearing is scheduled in Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on April 7 at 1 p.m.
- SB472, which would add an additional ground to file for Absolute (final) Divorce in Maryland: a signed Marital Separation Agreement, without any additional waiting period. This one would benefit clients because otherwise, Maryland requires one year of legal separation or other “grounds for-cause” which obviously delays the divorce process. Text: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/bills/sb/sb0472F.pdf
It was passed by the Senate and has a hearing today, March 31, in the House Judiciary Committee at 1 p.m. .
