Proposal bars rapists from seeking parental rights
Posted at: 01/07/2013 7:28 AM
By: The Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico legislators are proposing to stop rapists from seeking custody or visitation rights for children conceived during a sexual assault.
Rep. Conrad James, an Albuquerque Republican, said he's unaware of any pending New Mexico case in which a rapist is seeking parental rights but wants to stop that from happening as it has in other states.
He said most states don't have laws that terminate parental rights for rapists.
James, who lost his re-election bid, said Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, a Los Lunas Republican, will introduce the proposal in the legislative session that begins later this month.
The lawmakers said in a statement that current New Mexico law allows a rapist to ask a court for custody of the rape victim's child or seek visitation rights.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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