Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA §909 is enacted to read:

§909.__Time of trial

An action for divorce is not in order for hearing until 6 months or more after service of the summons and complaint unless a protection order under chapter 101 against one of the parties for the purpose of protecting the other party or another family or household member is in existence.

Sec. 2. Effective date. This Act takes effect October 1, 1999.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a 6-month waiting period between the service of a divorce complaint and the divorce hearing, except that the waiting period does not apply to any person who has obtained a protection from abuse order to protect that person or another family or household member from the other party. This change in law would be effective October 1, 1999.