SD Senate Panel Rejects Repeal of Alienation Suits

by Associated Press
January 29, 2013 10:01 AM


A South Dakota Senate committee has recommended that the state keep a law that allows people to file lawsuits seeking financial damages from those who allegedly seduce and steal their spouses.
 
The Judiciary Committee voted 4-3 to kill a measure that would repeal the law.
 
But the measure's main sponsor, Sen. Stan Adelstein of Rapid City, says he might ask the full Senate to override the committee and debate the bill.
 
Adelstein says South Dakota should get rid of alienation of affection lawsuits because the law mistakenly treats a spouse as property with a monetary value. He says alienation of affection lawsuits particularly hurt the children of those involved in the legal dispute.
 
But opponents say the law protects marriages by deterring people from trying to seduce married people.