STATEHOUSE (Jan. 26, 2016) – The House of Representatives voted 93-0 in support of State Rep. Hal Slager’s (R-Schererville) proposal strengthening the parental rights of mothers who get pregnant as the result of a rape.
“My goal in authoring this legislation is to empower victims of rape by giving them the opportunity to terminate the parental relationship between their rapist and their child who was conceived in the act,” Slager said. “I want to emphasize that a child conceived in rape is just as valued as a child not conceived in rape and eliminating the participation of the rapist in the child’s life will provide a healthier and safer environment for both the victim and child.”
Slager’s proposal would require a court to terminate the parent-child relationship if there is clear and convincing evidence that an act of rape has been committed against the victim filing the petition, and if ending the parent-child relationship would be in the best interest of the child.
Rape victims would have 180 days after the birth of the child to file the petition. Victims who are under the age of 18 when the rape occurred would have to file their petition within two years after reaching the age of 18.
Slager’s bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration.
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Rep. Slager (R-Schererville) represents portions of Lake County. Rep. Slager serves on the Ways and Means Committee and the Public Health Committee.
NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Click here to download a high-definition, on camera interview with Rep. Slager regarding HB 1064.
