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04/15/2005: "Neanderthal judge in Spokane over-ruled by Governer"

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Pregnant women will be allowed to divorce their husbands in the state of Washington, thanks to a bill Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Thursday.

"We thought this was the law about 50 years ago," said Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, the bill's sponsor.

"No kidding," Gregoire responded. "I was surprised."

The bill was inspired by the plight of Shawnna Hughes, a Spokane woman seeking to divorce her abusive husband. A Spokane County judge revoked her divorce because she was pregnant. Superior Court Judge Paul Bastine ruled that state law said marriages can't be dissolved until the paternity of the unborn child is established, so the state knows who should pay child support.

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