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parental rights

Jul 15, 2021

De facto parenthood requires both parents’ consent, Maryland high court says

An adult involved in raising a child cannot be a "de facto parent" with a claim to visitation unless both parents consented to relationship, high court says.

Feb 6, 2020

Foster parents would have right to intervene under Senate bill

ANNAPOLIS – Foster parents, often treated as mere witnesses in placement decisions regarding children in need of assistance (CINA), would have the right to intervene in the court cases where those decisions are made under legislation that came before a Senate panel Thursday. “Foster parents are among the most caring, giving, thoughtful people you will […]

Apr 29, 2019

‘Hate crime’ has separate legal, colloquial meanings

Welcome to Monday, the 58th anniversary of the premiere of  ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.” Here are some news items to get your week started: — When is a “hate crime” not a hate crime in the legal sense? — Question of alleged killer’s competency puts California trial on hold. — Judge strikes down Texas […]

May 24, 2018

The correct call on terminating rapists’ parental rights

In a period in American history that has seen a dramatic increase in public awareness of sexual assault, it was about time Maryland finally passed a law that permits rape victims to go to court to terminate the parental rights of a rapist.

Feb 13, 2018

Hogan signs bill enabling judges to end rapists’ parental rights

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday signed into law a long-stalled measure to enable courts to strip parental rights from a mother or father who conceived the child through non-consensual intercourse. By its terms, the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act went into effect upon the governor’s signature. “This is a very important day,” […]

Jan 31, 2018

Bill to end rapists’ parental rights passes House

ANNAPOLIS – Legislation to enable courts to strip parental rights from a mother or father who conceived the child through non-consensual intercourse will head to the governor for his signature. The House of Delegates passed the legislation Wednesday, a day after the Senate gave its approval to the measure. Gov. Larry Hogan pledged to sign […]

Delores Kelley
Jan 26, 2018

Senate preliminarily approves bill to end rapists’ parental rights

Maryland lawmakers are moving early to advance legislation to end parental rights of rapists.

Jan 23, 2018

Senate panel approves bill to end rapists’ parental rights

ANNAPOLIS – The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Tuesday approved perennially introduced but annually ill-fated legislation to enable courts to strip parental rights from a mother or father who conceived the child through non-consensual intercourse. With the committee’s voice vote, attention shifts to the full Senate, which could begin consideration of the Senate Bill 2 […]

Jan 11, 2018

Senate panel again considers bill to end rapists’ parental rights

ANNAPOLIS – Perennially introduced but annually ill-fated legislation to enable courts to strip parental rights from a mother or father who conceived the child through non-consensual intercourse received an unusually early hearing this General Assembly session and with broad support – giving sponsors hope that this could be the year it finally becomes law. The […]

Nov 26, 2017

Lawmakers will focus on Baltimore’s violence, online bullying, parental rights

With the number of homicides exceeding 300 annually in Baltimore, the Maryland General Assembly this coming session will consider increasing funding for programs legislators say show promise for reducing violent crime in the state’s most populous city as well as strengthening penalties for illegal gun possession and witness intimidation. Legislation will also be introduced to […]

Nov 1, 2017

Md. lawmakers confident bill denying rapists parental rights will pass next year

Proponents of a bill that would allow women to strip rights from a parent who conceived a child through non-consensual intercourse think they will have a version that passes in the Maryland General Assembly in 2018, especially with the heads of both chambers naming the measure as a priority. Del. Kathleen M. Dumais, D-Montgomery, who has […]

Oct 24, 2017

No immediate appeals for reunification waivers, Md. high court says

Parents of children deemed in need of assistance cannot immediately appeal a court order waiving a governmental agency’s obligation to provide reasonable reunification efforts between the parent and child, Maryland’s top court has unanimously ruled. In its 7-0 decision, the Court of Appeals rejected a mother’s argument that she had a statutory right to appeal […]

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