Legislative panel endorses denying rapists parental rights
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Some Indiana legislators are backing a change in state law that would deny parental rights to rapists if the assault results in a pregnancy.
The Legislature's criminal code study committee has endorsed the proposal, but some members cautioned that questions still need to be answered, including uncertainty over standard of proof, child support and adoption.
The Republican proposal sponsors Rep. Hal Slager and Sen. Ed Charbonneau say their goal is to prevent rapists from threatening to assert parental rights to compel victims to not testify or accept plea bargains.
A similar bill filed by Slager failed to get out of committee last session.
