Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3437 Primary Sponsor:Burch Committee Number:25 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Social Services, suit money Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Date Tabled:Apr 14, 1992 Computer Document Number:3437 Introduced Date:Feb 06, 1991 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Apr 14, 1992 Last History Type:Tabled in Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Burch Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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3437 House Apr 14, 1992 Tabled in Committee 25
3437 House Feb 06, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 25
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-420, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FAMILY COURT JURISDICTION IN DOMESTIC MATTERS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT SUIT MONEY MAY NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 20-7-420(38) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 548 of 1990, is amended to read:
"(38) To hear and determine an action where either party in his or her complaint, answer, counterclaim, or motion for pendente lite relief prays for the allowance of suit money pendente lite and permanently. In this action the court shall allow a reasonable sum for the claim if it appears well-founded. Suit money, including attorney's fees, may be assessed for or against a party to an action brought in or subject to the jurisdiction of the family court. However, suit money, including attorney's fees, may not be assessed against the Department of Social Services. An award of temporary attorney's fees or suit costs must not be stayed by an appeal of the award."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.