STATEHOUSE (March 1, 2016) – The Senate voted unanimously to pass House Bill (HB) 1064, authored by State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville), which would strengthen the parental rights of mothers who get pregnant as the result of a rape.
“This legislation offers victims of rape the opportunity to terminate the parental relationship between their perpetrator and their child who was conceived in the act,” Slager said. “My goal in authoring this legislation is to ensure that these women and their children are able to live without fear of the rapist’s involvement in their lives.”
If signed into law by the governor, Slager’s bill 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.
Mothers would have 180 days after the birth of the child to file the petition. Those 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 now moves to the governor’s desk where it could be signed into law.
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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.
