HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3200        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1544

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Keiko M. Orrall

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the termination of parental rights in cases where a child is born of sexual assault or rape.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

 

Christine E. Canavan

10th Plymouth

1/30/2013

James J. Dwyer

30th Middlesex

1/29/2013

Ryan C. Fattman

18th Worcester

2/1/2013

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

1/23/2013

Jonathan Hecht

29th Middlesex

1/31/2013

Randy Hunt

5th Barnstable

1/30/2013

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

1/29/2013

Kevin J. Kuros

8th Worcester

2/1/2013

Brian R. Mannal

2nd Barnstable

1/30/2013

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

1/31/2013

Shaunna O'Connell

3rd Bristol

1/30/2013

David M. Rogers

24th Middlesex

1/31/2013

Cleon H. Turner

1st Barnstable

1/24/2013


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3200        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1544

By Mrs. Orrall of Lakeville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1544) of Keiko M. Orrall and others relative to the termination of parental rights in cases where a child is conceived by sexual assault or rape.  The Judiciary.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act relative to the termination of parental rights in cases where a child is born of sexual assault or rape.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 209B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 14, the following new sections:- 

Section 15.  Termination of the parent-child relationship in cases of sexual assault or rape.  A petition for termination of the parent-child relationship of the biological father shall be granted in cases where the child’s birth is the result of a sexual assault or rape and the biological father has pled guilty to, or is convicted of, sexual assault or rape of the biological mother. 

Section 16.  In a proceeding in which visitation with a child conceived through the commission of a sexual assault or rape is sought by the biological parent who has pled guilty to, or is convicted of, sexual assault or rape, visitation rights and all contact with the child shall be denied.  Furthermore, the biological parent who has pled guilty to, or been convicted of, a sexual assault or rape shall be prohibited from initiating any legal proceeding involving the child or related to rights regarding the child, unless leave of court is granted upon good cause shown.  In all such matters, including proceedings to seek leave of court, costs and legal fees associated with the representation of the rights of the child, and the parent who bore the child, shall be paid by the biological parent who has pled guilty to, or been convicted of, a sexual assault or rape.