Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1271: Divorce; create 13th ground for irretrievable breakdown.
Status: Failed, February 3, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF WILLFUL AND OBSTINATE FROM THE GROUND OF DIVORCE FOR DESERTION; TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL GROUND OF DIVORCE WHEN THE COURT FINDS THERE HAS BEEN AN IRRETRIEVABLE BREAKDOWN OF THE MARRIAGE AND FURTHER ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION ARE IMPRACTICAL OR FUTILE AND NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES OR FAMILY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 93-5-1, mississippi code of 1972, to delete the requirement of willful and obstinate from the ground of divorce for desertion; to provide an additional ground of divorce when the court finds there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and further attempts at reconciliation are impractical or futile and not in the best interests of the parties or family; and for related purposes.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF WILLFUL AND OBSTINATE FROM THE GROUND OF DIVORCE FOR DESERTION; TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL GROUND OF DIVORCE WHEN THE COURT FINDS THERE HAS BEEN AN IRRETRIEVABLE BREAKDOWN OF THE MARRIAGE AND FURTHER ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION ARE IMPRACTICAL OR FUTILE AND NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES OR FAMILY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 93-5-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 93-5-1. Divorces from the bonds of matrimony may be decreed to the injured party for any one or more of the following * * * thirteen (13) causes: First. Natural impotency. Second. Adultery, unless it should appear that it was committed by collusion of the parties for the purpose of procuring a divorce, or unless the parties cohabited after a knowledge by complainant of the adultery. Third. Being sentenced to any penitentiary, and not pardoned before being sent there. *HR43/R1937* H. B. No. 1271 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1937 PAGE 1 (GT\KP) Fourth. * * * Continued * * * desertion for the space of one (1) year. Fifth. Habitual drunkenness. Sixth. Habitual and excessive use of opium, morphine or other like drug. Seventh. Habitual cruel and inhuman …
Sponsors
- Yates, Shanda (I, 64) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died In Committee
- : Referred To Judiciary A
Subjects: Divorce
Common questions
- What is HB1271?
- HB1271 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Divorce; create 13th ground for irretrievable breakdown.
- What does HB1271 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 93-5-1, mississippi code of 1972, to delete the requirement of willful and obstinate from the ground of divorce for desertion; to provide an additional ground of divorce when the court finds there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and further attempts at reconciliation are impractical or futile and not in the best interests of the parties or family; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1271?
- Failed as of February 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (February 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1271?
- Yates, Shanda (I, 64).
- Where is the official record for HB1271?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1271.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.