MSBA REVERSES COURSE AND SUPPORTS RAPE SURVIVOR BILL
there are no more excuses
it's time for the Judicial Proceedings Committee to take a vote
After two years of active opposition, the Maryland State Bar Association has reversed course and filed a statement urging favorable consideration of the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act. This morning's MSBA statement supports HB646 as amended by the House of Delegates. The voluntary association of lawyers urges two additional amendments. First, that the word “shall” be changed to “may”, providing judges with latitude to deny termination of parental rights even if rape occurred and it is in the best interests of the child conceived as a result to terminate rights. Second, that the law contain a seven-year statute of limitations for the mother. A child’s guardian would be given until age 18 to file an action, and the child would be able to file after reaching the age of majority. MCASA urges the Judicial Proceedings Committee to report favorably on HB646 as amended by the House of Delegates either with or without the MSBA’s suggested changes. Please call Chairman Zirkin and your senator and ask them to vote on HB646 and report favorably either with or without the MSBA's suggested changes. Send the message that it is past time to bring this bill to a vote and enact a law to protect rape victims who become pregnant and bear a child as a result of rape. The email addresses and telephone numbers for the committee members are provided below. More information about the bill is available here. Thank you, as always, for your support for sexual assault survivors. Lisae Lisae C. Jordan Executive Director and Counsel MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE PHONE AND EMAILS: Chair Robert A. (Bobby) Zirkin, Chair (D-11) Phone: (410) 841-3131 | (301) 858-3131 E-mail: bobby.zirkin@senate.