Lawmakers pass alimony bill.

Legislation aimed at overhauling Florida's system for awarding alimony is ready for consideration by Gov. Rick Scott after passing in both the Senate and House.

The Senate approved SB 718 with a 29-11 vote on April 4.

The House passed the Senate's version of the proposed legislation with a vote of 85-31 on April 18.

As it considered the proposed legislation, the House elected to substitute SB 718 for the similarly worded HB 213 that it had considered up until then.

That move allowed both chambers to pass proposed legislation with the exact same language, eliminating the need for conference and making the bill ready to send to the governor immediately after House approval.

As lawmakers considered the proposed legislation, SB 718 continued to draw both lavish praise and sharp criticism.

The Florida Bar's Family Law Section opposes the bill and recently formed a grassroots campaign called Truth About Florida Alimony to raise awareness about its position.

"We want to thank the legislators who voted against the bill," said Family Law Section Chair Carin M. Porras.

"I am disappointed with those who voted to pass this legislation, which we strongly believe is not in the best interest of Florida families."

The campaign issued a petition calling for Gov. Scott to veto the proposed legislation.

As this News went to press, the campaign had gathered 1,828 signatures to the petition, posted at www.change.org/petitions/floridagovernor-rick-scott-veto-alimony-legislation.

More information about the group's position is available at www.truthaboutflalimony.com.

In an earlier statement, Porras explained Family Law Section's opposition further.

"SB 718 is clearly aimed at protecting male payors of alimony," she said. "The legislation is anti-family and anti-woman. If enacted, the pending alimony legislation will cause a grave injustice to countless citizens of Florida, many who will have no choice but to turn to the government for assistance. We urge our legislators to carefully consider their actions regarding this one-sided and harmful attempt to radically change alimony provisions in the state."

During various committee meetings, Family Law Section representatives, lawmakers, and citizens expressed concern that the bills disenfranchise women who in long-term marriages sacrificed their careers in order to stay at home and raise children.

On the other side, lawmakers and citizens spoke of an arbitrary, unfair system that requires payors to assume support for...