The Virginia Family Law Coalition won one and lost one today in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
House Bill 14 would have allowed a judge to draw an adverse inference if a party or witness refuses, on the ground of self-incrimination, to answer a question about adultery or certain other sexual crimes that remain on the books in Virginia.
The committee voted 12-3 to pass the law by indefinitely, in effect killing it for the year.
On the other hand, the committee approved, on a 13-2 vote, HB 66, which would allow testimony by a vocational expert in cases involving child support, spousal support and separate maintenance when the earning capacity, unemployment or underemployment of a party is in dispute.
HB 66 cleared the House unanimously, but HB 14 squeaked by, 49-48.
By Alan Cooper
