TO AMEND SECTION 20-4-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO TERMS DEFINED IN THE "PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT", SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "HOUSEHOLD MEMBER" TO INCLUDE PERSONS PRESENTLY OR FORMERLY IN A DATING RELATIONSHIP AND TO DEFINE "DATING RELATIONSHIP".

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 20-4-20(b) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

    "(b)    'Household member' means:

        (i)        a spouse;

        (ii)    a former spouse;

        (iii)    persons who have a child in common;

        (iv)    a male and female who are cohabiting or formerly have cohabited persons who are cohabiting or formerly have cohabited; or

        (v)    persons who are presently in or have formerly been in a dating relationship together."

SECTION    2.    Section 20-4-20 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding an appropriately lettered item to read:

    "(    )(i)    'Dating relationship' means a romantic, courtship, or engagement relationship between two individuals that need not include sexual involvement. In addition to any other factors the court deems relevant, the court may consider the following factors in making a determination of whether a relationship exists or existed:

            (A)    the length of the relationship;

            (B)    the nature or type of the relationship;

            (C)    the frequency of interaction between the two individuals involved in the relationship; and

            (D)    the time since termination of the relationship, if applicable.

        (ii)    'Dating relationship' does not include a casual relationship or ordinary fraternization between two individuals in a business or social context."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.