H1713

To protect victims of rape and children conceived during the commission of said offense

Introduced·2/27/25
Introduced Text

Allows victims of rape to terminate parental rights of the rapist

Massachusetts H1713 allows victims of rape to petition to terminate the parental rights of the rapist. The bill permits a married woman to file a petition to terminate her husband's parental rights if the child was conceived through rape. It also allows the mother of a child born from rape to petition to terminate the rapist's parental rights. The court must accept a guilty plea or conviction of unlawful sexual battery as proof that the child was conceived by a violation of criminal law. The court presumes that terminating the rapist's parental rights is in the best interest of the child.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
In committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

D
1
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Calendar

Jun 17, 2025

1:00 PM

Joint Committee on The Judiciary Hearing

History

Mar 26

House

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)

Oct 20, 2025

Joint

Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

Oct 20, 2025

House

Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order