Bill Would Terminate Parental Rights of Rapists

A bill to terminate the parental rights of a rapist is headed to the full Senate.

Under current law, parental rights can be terminated after a rape conviction, but this legislation would ask for only clear and convincing evidence to terminate parental rights.

Supporters of the legislation say rapists should not be allowed to continue to torment their victims with litigation seeking custody of a child.

Rebecca Kiessling of Hope After Rape Conception says what often happens is when a rapist finds that there is a baby, they have their lawyer sue for custody in an attempt to get the victim to drop the rape charges.

The bill cleared a Senate committee Tuesday.