MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont House has made a strong vote in favor of legislation to deny parental rights to perpetrators when a sexual assault results in pregnancy.
The House gave preliminary approval to the measure Friday on a 135-0 roll call vote. The bill says that if a rape results in pregnancy, the mother can petition the court to deny parental rights to the perpetrator of the rape.
Rep. Vicki Strong, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Vermont law right now does not prevent a rapist from demanding parental custody and other rights and thereby remaining in a victim’s life for years.
People were interested in these podcasts
The bill is expected up for final House approval on Tuesday before moving to the Senate.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.