More than 10 years after supporters began pushing for it, Maryland's legislature has decided — with unanimous votes in the Senate and House — to enable impregnated rape victims to ask judges to end the parental rights of their rapists. The measure will enable a woman who becomes pregnant by her assailant to ask a court to end the attacker's parental rights. About 45 states and the District of Columbia limit parental rights of rapists, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. Studies vary widely on the outcome of such pregnancies, according to an analysis of the bill by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services. Dumais said "I don't think there's going to be a flood at the courthouse door of new applications to terminate parental rights," but it's critical to have a legal mechanism in place for those who need it.

Source: ABC News February 07, 2018 17:17 UTC