Bill > S1964

This bill amends existing law, specifically Section 3 of Chapter 209C of the General Laws, to address situations where a child is conceived as a result of rape. The key provision is that if a court determines, with a high degree of certainty (by clear and convincing evidence), that a child was conceived through an act of rape, as defined by sections 22 and 22A of Chapter 265 (which cover various forms of sexual assault), the court is prohibited from establishing paternity for the perpetrator. This means the perpetrator would not be legally recognized as the father and would therefore not be granted any custody or visitation rights, nor any other parental rights. However, the bill clarifies that this change does not prevent a court from ordering the perpetrator to pay child support, nor does it affect the child's right to inherit from the perpetrator.