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Introduced Version
« Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 6
(By Senator Rucker)
[Introduced March 5, 2026]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the effects of voluntary separation and irreconcilable differences as grounds for divorce in West Virginia.
	Whereas, The National Institute of Health published a study where 75 percent of surveyed individuals cited lack of commitment and 57.7 percent of surveyed individuals cited too much arguing as reasons for divorce; and
	Whereas, The West Virginia court system reported 7,266 divorce filings in FY 2024; and
	Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2023 West Virginia had a divorce rate of 2.9 per 1,000 people; and
	Whereas, Divorce negatively impacts a child’s quality of life; and
	Whereas, Divorce negatively impacts adults both mentally and financially; and
	Whereas, The family court system has requested $15,500,081 for FY 2027; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the effects of voluntary separation and irreconcilable differences as grounds for divorce in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study should focus on the following elements:
(1) Comparing dependent children in the custody of two legally married parents to dependent children of parents divorced on the grounds of voluntary separation or irreconcilable differences based on their:
(A) Academic performance;
(B) Rates of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders;
(C) Rates of substance abuse; and
(D) Rates of delinquency.
(2) Comparing legally married adults to adults divorced on the grounds of voluntary separation or irreconcilable differences based on their:
(A) Rates of dependence on state assistance programs;
(B) Rates of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders;
(C) Rates of substance abuse; and
(D) Rates of diagnosed alcoholism.
(3) How much of the appropriated funds for the family court system is allocated to processing and adjudicating divorces on the grounds of irreconcilable differences and divorces on the grounds of voluntary separation;
(4) What impact of repealing voluntary separation and irreconcilable differences as grounds for divorce in the West Virginia State Code would have on the aforementioned elements;
(5) Have any other states repealed voluntary separation and irreconcilable differences and what were affects in their state; and
(6) Recommendations for legislative measures; and, be it
	Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2027, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
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