Bill Would Expand Murder Charges When Fetus Is Involved

The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE - Causing the death of a fetus could lead to a murder charge, no matter how early the pregnancy is, under a bill that moved through its first House committee Wednesday.

Opponents called the bill an attempt to change the law on when life begins, by giving rights to all fetuses, and ultimately to infringe on a woman's right to have an abortion.

Current Florida law says a person can be charged with murder for an attack on a mother that leads to the miscarriage or death of a "viable" fetus capable of life outside the womb. But the bill replaces "viable fetus" with "unborn child," which would make the law apply to any fetus after conception.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Poppell, R-Vero Beach, also would change the law to say a defendant doesn't need to know that the woman is pregnant or have an intent to kill her fetus in order to face charges.

The House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety approved the bill (HB 513) by a 7-4 vote. A comparable Senate bill (SB 2480) has not been debated.