H.1521 - An Act protecting survivors of rape and their children

Current Status: Read more.

Senate Bill: S.952 - Senator Sal DiDomenico. Read more.

Background: Although Massachusetts courts are generally not permitted to allow those who conceived a child through rape from having visitation rights, the current law is written in such a way that judges are compelled to hold “best interest hearings” when a rapist requests visitation. 

What this bill would do: H.1521 (co-filed with Rep. Michelle DuBois) would further restrict the ability of people who attempt or commit rape or sexual assault from obtaining visitation rights in key cases that are not sufficiently covered by the existing statute.