Bill > S953

This bill proposes to amend Section 3 of Chapter 209C of the General Laws, which deals with paternity and child support. Specifically, it adds a new subsection (f) that states if a court determines with strong evidence (clear and convincing evidence) that a child was conceived due to rape, the court cannot grant parental rights, such as custody or visitation, to the perpetrator of the rape. However, this provision does not prevent the court from ordering the perpetrator to pay child support, nor does it affect the child's right to inherit from the perpetrator. The bill aims to prevent perpetrators of rape from having legal parental relationships with children conceived as a result of their crime, while still ensuring the child's financial needs can be met and their inheritance rights are preserved.