Bill > H1521

This bill aims to protect survivors of rape and their children by amending several chapters of Massachusetts law. The key provisions are: 1. Courts cannot grant visitation rights to a parent who was convicted of, or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed, certain sexual assault crimes against the other parent, unless it is in the best interests of the child and the mother consents. This applies to crimes under Sections 13B, 13B1/2, 13B ¾, 13 F, 13H, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 23A, 23B of Chapter 265 or Sections 2 and 3 of Chapter 272. 2. Courts cannot grant custody rights to a parent who was convicted of, or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed, the same sexual assault crimes, unless it is in the best interests of the child and the mother consents. 3. There is an irrebuttable presumption that a parent who committed such sexual assault crimes is unfit, and the court shall terminate their parental rights, unless there was no conviction and the mother opposes termination. The bill aims to protect survivors of rape and their children by limiting the perpetrator's ability to obtain custody or visitation rights, while still allowing these rights if it is in the best interests of the child and the mother consents.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1521