MO HB606

Rape victims who conceive a child from the assault may file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the perpetrator, expanding who can initiate these proceedings beyond just juvenile officers or the state division

A guilty plea or conviction for forcible rape, first-degree rape, second-degree rape, or sexual assault serves as conclusive evidence supporting termination of the perpetrator's parental rights

Courts must deny custody, parenting time, or contact with the child to a rape perpetrator upon finding by clear and convincing evidence that the rape occurred and the child was conceived as a result

Court findings that a child was conceived by rape create prima facie evidence that continued parent-child relationship with the perpetrator is not in the child's best interest

Courts may award the prevailing party attorney's fees and costs of maintaining the court action, payable directly to the attorney who may enforce the order