HB 1388 Summary

• Brings forward Mississippi Code sections 93-5-1 through 93-5-34 governing divorce and alimony for amendment purposes without substantive changes to existing law.

• Maintains 12 statutory grounds for divorce including adultery, desertion, cruelty, incurable mental illness, and irreconcilable differences; clarifies that spousal domestic abuse can be established through testimony of a single credible witness.

• Establishes joint custody as the presumed custody arrangement when both parents agree, eliminates gender-based custody presumptions, and creates rebuttable presumptions against awarding custody to parents with a history of family violence.

• Provides protections for military parents by allowing expedited hearings, temporary custody arrangements, and delegated visitation rights when a parent receives deployment or mobilization orders.

• Takes effect July 1, 2024.