May 22, 2003

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have vetoed Senate Bill 249 - Family Law - Grounds for Absolute Divorce.

This bill adds cruelty of treatment toward a minor child of the complaining party and excessively vicious conduct toward a minor child of a complaining party as grounds for an absolute divorce and provides that recrimination is not a bar to obtaining a divorce on any of the specified absolute divorce grounds.

House Bill 346, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 249.

Sincerely,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor