Domestic violence victims won’t have to pay to divorce abuser under new bill

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Senate has passed a bill, keeping a victim of domestic violence from getting stuck with divorce costs.

Senate Bill 68, also known as Jeanette’s Law, passed by unanimous vote on Wednesday.

It’s named after Jeanette McCue, of Washington County, who testified that she had to pay her ex-husband’s divorce costs while he was imprisoned for abusing her.

Under current state law, someone seeking a divorce against an incarcerated person can be held responsible for paying the incarcerated person’s court-appointed lawyer, even when the imprisonment is the result of spousal abuse.

Senate Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, sponsored the bill and says it helps with “closing a loophole” in current statutes for victims of domestic violence.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.