Bill > S952

This bill aims to protect survivors of rape and their children. It makes several key changes to existing laws: 1. It prohibits courts from granting visitation rights to parents who were convicted, or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed, certain crimes such as rape, sexual assault, or incest, against the child's other parent. Such visitation rights may only be granted if it is in the best interests of the child and the child's mother consents. 2. It prohibits courts from granting custody rights to parents who were convicted, or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed, these crimes against the child's other parent, when the child was conceived during the commission of the crime. Custody may only be granted if it is in the best interests of the child and the child's mother consents. 3. It creates an irrebuttable presumption of parental unfitness, allowing courts to dispense with the need for consent to adoption, if a parent was convicted or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed these crimes against the child's other parent. However, this presumption can be overcome if it is found to be contrary to the child's best interests and the child's mother opposes the termination. The bill aims to protect survivors of rape and their children from further trauma and harm by limiting the rights of perpetrators of these crimes.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S952