British North American Legislative Database, 1758-1867

This act allows women who should become pregnant out of wedlock to sue the fathers of those babies for support. The act specifies that the men will only be except of this charge if the woman in question dies or gets married before the baby is born, or if she miscarries. The court also reserves the right to place the child in alternate care. If the woman is of "ill-repute" or a "common whore," the case will be referred to a higher court.