Starr bill to protect victims of rape passes committee

Hillsboro, OR — Victims of rape will have another layer of protection under the law, thanks to a bill introduced by Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) and now moving through the legislative process. Senate Bill 522, which would allow a court to terminate the parental rights of a parent who is convicted of rape with respect to child conceived as result of that rape, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning on a unanimous vote.

“I was shocked to learn that Oregon had no recourse for a victim in this situation,” said Starr. “This bill makes sense and serves to protect the privacy, peace of mind and emotional healing of rape victims.”

Starr introduced Senate Bill 522 at the request of a constituent. The constituent, a rape victim, went to court in an attempt to terminate the parental rights of her offender and the father of her child. Unfortunately, the court’s hands were tied. Senate Bill 522 would give courts a tool to protect victims from unnecessary and inappropriate interaction with their offenders.

Senate Bill 522 will move to the full Senate this week.