An Act protecting survivors of rape and their children
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1069) of Sal N. DiDomenico and Michael O. Moore for legislation to protect survivors of rape and their children. The Judiciary.
This bill prohibits courts from granting custody or visitation rights to parents who have been convicted of, charged with, or found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed certain serious sexual or violent crimes, particularly in cases where the child was conceived during the offense or affected by it. Exceptions are allowed only if the child’s best interests are served and the child’s mother affirmatively consents. The bill also establishes an irrebuttable presumption of parental unfitness in adoption cases involving such offenders, allowing courts to dispense with their consent. However, these restrictions do not relieve the offender of child support obligations or affect the child's right to inherit from them.
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