No discussion on SC anti-domestic violence bills

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A committee slated to discuss legislation targeting domestic violence in South Carolina has recessed because a Senate session was running late.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was to take up a bill which defines dating violence as assaulting, threatening or stalking of someone who was or is in a relationship.

The measure is part of an effort to extend protection orders to minors and same-sex couples. Current law only permits protection orders against members of the opposite sex who have physically or sexually abused partners with whom they are married to, have lived with or have a child with.

A second bill seeks to increase penalties for domestic violence abusers, confiscate their firearms and mandate they attend intervention programs upon a second offense.

The committee will reconvene May 29.