Governor Napolitano on April 18 vetoed a bill to let judges consider marital misconduct when deciding how to resolve financial issues involving divorcing couples.

The bill (S1145) would have affected divisions of community property, calculations of spousal maintenance and determinations of child abuse, according to a legislative staff memo.

Ms. Napolitano said in her veto letter that the bill would have clogged family courts with new issues to be considered in divorce cases. Also, current law already protects innocent spouses against criminal conduct by their spouses, she said.

The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Karen Johnson, R-18, did not immediately return a call for comment after the veto was announced.

However, other bill supporters have said it would have given judges more leeway to make decisions that affect innocent spouses.

“This bill promotes justice,” Rep. Russell Pearce, R-18, said during a recent House debate on the bill.

Legislative critics said during the same debate that the bill created the potential for confusion and conflicting rulings because the term “marital misconduct” was not defined in the bill.

“We’re going to put the judge in the bedroom,” said Rep. Ted Downing, D-28. —

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.