Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4056, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5.__Financial support.__If, prior to the termination of parental rights, the parent was convicted of a crime against the child, the court may include in the termination order the requirement that the parent whose rights are terminated make a lump sum payment to assist in the future financial support of the child.__The court may direct that the payment be held in trust for the child, or require other protections for the preservation of the payment for support of the child.__The court shall use as a guide the child support guidelines of Title 19-A, chapter 63.

SUMMARY

Under current law, when a person's parental rights are terminated, that person's obligation to support the child financially also terminates. This bill authorizes a court to require a parent to contribute to the financial support of a child at the time the parent's parental rights are terminated. The court may order a lump sum payment if the parent was convicted of a crime against that child prior to the termination of parental rights. The court may include the requirement in the termination order. The court may direct that the payment be held in trust for the child, or may order any other protections necessary to preserve the payment for the financial support of the child.