A Montgomery County lawmaker is getting some help from an unexpected source to close a stunning legal loophole in Maryland. It allows rapists the right to seek custody if the crime results in a pregnancy. But after proposing a bill to change that in seven sessions, Delegate Kathleen Dumais is hoping some national attention will make a difference. Dumais' proposal is getting a push thanks to The Daily Show, which recently did an episode publicly shaming several states, including Maryland, for giving rapists custody rights. It's an issue Dumais has been fighting to fix with the Maryland Coalition Against Sex Assault (MCASA). Lisae Jordan, MCASA's executive director, says, "It's really frustrating that we've tried this bill over and over again and we're running into roadblocks." Those obstacles have kept the bill, which has previously received large support, from moving forward. Jordan says the premise is simple: "It's a bill that would help survivors and help Maryland to say if you want to have a baby after you've been raped, we support you and the rapists won't have rights." ... ...Dumais and Jordan say they will again pursue the legislation in the next session.
