Senate passes third substitute of HB 328 addressing parental-rights termination and assault-kit handling, 23–0

The Senate on third reading substituted and passed third substitute House Bill 328, a measure described by the floor sponsor as clarifying parental-rights termination standards in cases of conviction and bringing handling of assault evidence into compliance with federal requirements.

On the floor the sponsor explained the substitute makes no policy changes beyond cleaning up prior amendments and correcting a drafting error. The sponsor said the bill "clarifies when parental rights can be terminated on conviction of certain crimes," and also addressed evidence handling, noting the bill's "most important key part" concerns the handling of "****** assault kits" in order to comply with federal regulations (language in the transcript is redacted as shown).

The Senate conducted a roll-call vote on the third substitute; the clerk read the roll and the floor recorded 23 yay votes, 0 nay, with 6 senators absent. The bill passes the Senate and will be returned to the House for further consideration or concurrence if necessary.

Because the transcript redacts the specific phrase for the assault-kit language, this article reflects the exact floor wording used on the record rather than supplying a non-transcript term.