An Act protecting victims of rape and their children

SD 450, titled "An Act protecting victims of rape and their children," amends Massachusetts law to restrict visitation rights for parents convicted of rape. The bill directly affects victims of rape and their children by preventing courts from granting visitation to a parent convicted of rape (under specific sections of Chapters 265 or 272) seeking access to a child conceived during the assault. Key provisions state that courts cannot order such visitation if the parent has a rape conviction, or if clear evidence of rape exists even without a conviction. The law aims to protect victims and children by limiting contact with perpetrators in these specific circumstances.