Bill > H1674

This bill strengthens legal protections for survivors of rape and their children by modifying several Massachusetts legal statutes to restrict parental rights for individuals convicted of specific sexual crimes. The bill prevents perpetrators of rape from obtaining visitation or custody rights for children conceived during their criminal act, unless the child's mother affirmatively consents and a court determines such rights are in the child's best interests. The legislation covers a range of specific criminal statutes related to sexual offenses, including sections about rape, sexual assault, and crimes involving sexual violence. Importantly, the bill clarifies that a lack of criminal conviction does not automatically mean no crime occurred, and it allows for clear and convincing evidence of criminal conduct to be considered. The bill also ensures that even if parental rights are terminated, the perpetrator may still be required to pay child support, and the child retains inheritance rights. By addressing multiple legal chapters (209C, 208, 210), the bill provides comprehensive protections across different areas of family and adoption law, ultimately aiming to protect survivors and their children from continued legal entanglement with their abusers.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1674