"Knowing that it (the bill) did not become law until January, it was not on our priority list," Drummond said of summer scheduling considerations.

The bill makes domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature a felony, insists that police officers investigate all reported incidents of domestic violence and calls for special training for teachers and day-care workers, among other components.

Vickie Bourus, executive director of the S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said any further delay in signing the bill effectively could delay implementation. She said state agencies need to begin reviewing curriculum and counties need to begin organizing the coordinating councils specified in the bill to improve local response to domestic violence.

Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartan-burg, who co-sponsored the bill, said the delay is surprising.

"Periodically, I'll talk with the governor's staff and say, 'Where are you guys?'" Ritchie said. "This is important legislation, and it is designed to save lives. The sooner he signs it, the safer people will be."

Bourus said Sanford's 2000 Congressional vote against the Violence Against Women Act set the stage for negative public perception on the governor's commitment to addressing domestic violence.

"Actions speak louder than words, and I want to see some action," she said.

Bourus said many advocates have called and written letters urging the governor to pick up the pace.

"Most of the previous governors have signed bills within 15 days of passage," said Laura Hudson of the S.C. Victim Assistance Network "He has been taking his sweet time."

So far this summer, Sanford has called press conferences to sign a number of bills, including predatory lending legislation, Commerce Department reform and a measure to reduce minimum acreage requirements for public schools.

For six years, female lawmakers fought hard to pass a similar version of the domestic violence bill approved this session. Last year, law enforcement officers investigated approximately 35,000 domestic violence incidents statewide. In 2001, 46 women were murdered in domestic attacks, making South Carolina the third highest in the nation for domestic homicides.

Contact Karen Addy at (803) 256-3800 or mailto:kaddy@heraldonline.com