SB 134 Summary

• Allows termination of parental rights through independent proceedings when a parent committed sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, or incest resulting in conception of the child, separate from adoption or child protection proceedings.

• Specifies that termination of parental rights under the sexual assault/abuse grounds does not eliminate a biological parent's child support obligations unless the court decree specifically provides otherwise.

• Expands the court's authority to appoint guardians ad litem or attorneys to minors whose parents are subject to termination of parental rights petitions, not just minors being adopted.

• Restructures the grounds for termination of parental rights by reorganizing AS 25.23.180(c) and adding new subsection (o) permitting independent petitions for involuntary termination based on sexual assault, abuse, or incest.

• Requires the office of public advocacy to provide legal representation to financially unable respondents in parental rights termination proceedings based on sexual assault, abuse, or incest grounds.