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House committee sends unborn victims bill to the floor
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A bill that would create a separate criminal offense for harming a fetus during a crime is heading to the House floor.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the Senate bill on Tuesday after voting against broadening it to allow civil lawsuits.
Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville, called it hypocritical to protect unborn victims harmed when their mother is stabbed and not protect those harmed because of a reckless driver.
But House members said they did not want to risk an amended bill dying in the Senate. The House has passed similar legislation in the past that died in that chamber.
Jennings said he understood their reasoning, but "let's try sending it back before we agree to cave in and agree to give them half a loaf." His proposal failed.
Jennings said he will propose a separate bill next year on civil penalties.
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which cleared the Senate in March, specifies it will not affect a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.
The bill would put on state books a law similar to what's been federal law since 2004.
It applies to a fetus in any stage of development after conception. People could not face the death penalty solely for killing a fetus.
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