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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 20, 2021 03:42 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David H. Zimmerman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Crimes Against An Unborn Child |
| Shortly, I will be introducing legislation to expand the list of offenses that may be charged when an unborn child is killed or injured during a criminal act. Currently, when an individual murders a pregnant woman, the individual can be charged with first, second or third degree murder of an unborn child. However, the law does not prescribe any criminal penalties for other criminal acts that result in death or serious bodily injury to an unborn child. By amending the definition of “person” in the Crimes Code, my legislation would allow prosecutors to charge defendants accused of killing or injuring an unborn child with other criminal offenses, including simple assault, drug delivery resulting in death, and recklessly endangering another person. My legislation also amends the definition of “individual” in the Judicial Code to permit family members of an unborn child who was killed as a result of a violent or negligent act to seek criminal damages. Under current law, no individual can seek civil redress for the death of an unborn child. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2491