January 30th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Senate has voted to enable women who are impregnated by rapists to end the parental rights of the criminals who raped them. The Senate voted 45-0 on Tuesday for the bill, which now goes to the House, where a similar measure is pending.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have made the bill a priority this session, after it has failed to pass for nine years.

The measure is an emergency bill, so it would take effect immediately after Gov. Larry Hogan signs it. Hogan, a Republican, has expressed support for the legislation.

Lawmakers are on pace to send the bill to him in coming days.