Bill that better protects rape victims signed into law
By DAN O'REGAN
A bill that would close loopholes allowing convicted rapists custody and visitation rights to children who were products of the sexual assault has been signed into law Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Previously, there was no law addressing the custody and visitation rights of those convicted of sexual assault resulting in the conception of a child. This bill, A.7188/S.5069, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos, restricts the parental rights of sexual perpetrators when a child is born as a result of sexual offense. The law, signed into law September 28, will force the court to presume it is not in the best interest of the child to be placed in the custody of or visit with a person convicted of sexual assault.
"Imagine the horror of being raped or suffering some other form of sexual abuse," Paulin said. "Now imagine the trauma that would result if you found out you were pregnant as a result of this attack. Many women would terminate the pregnancy after what would likely be a long, painful decision-making process. However, there are many women who elect to see their pregnancy through and the law does not sufficiently protect these women from their attackers."
The new law also protects children put up for adoption. The previous law only specified that a person convicted of rape in the first degree has no right to be notified the child, conceived as a result of the attack, was put up for adoption. The Paulin and Skelos law will extend this provision so those convicted of other sexual assaults resulting in the conception of a child will have no right to be notified if that child were to be put up for adoption.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-09-30-85255.113122-Bill-that-better-protects-rape-victims-signed-into-law.html