IA
Iowa House Bill HSB621

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB621

Introduced
1/29/24  
Introduced
1/29/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the nonconsensual causing of death of, or serious injury to, an unborn person, and providing penalties.(See HF 2575.)

Impact

The bill significantly increases penalties for actions that result in the death or serious injury to an unborn person without the consent of the pregnant individual. For example, it mandates that causing the death of an unborn person during the commission of a forcible felony is punishable as a Class A felony, which carries a life sentence without parole. These stricter penalties are expected to impact both the criminal justice system's handling of related cases and the broader legal landscape concerning reproductive rights and protections for unborn persons.

Summary

House Study Bill 621 proposes amendments to Iowa's Title VII, specifically targeting the nonconsensual causing of death or serious injury to an unborn person. The proposed changes define an 'unborn person' as an individual organism from fertilization to live birth, altering existing language within the legislative framework. The bill outlines a variety of offenses related to causing the death of or serious injury to unborn persons, introducing different classifications of felonies depending on the context of the act and the level of intent involved, making it a significant legal reform regarding the rights of unborn individuals.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HSB621 include concerns regarding the implications it may have on women's rights and reproductive autonomy. Critics argue that the bill could lead to potential criminalization of medical professionals and increase legal risks for pregnant individuals in various situations—particularly those involving accidents or unintended outcomes. Proponents, however, believe it is necessary to enhance protections for unborn persons and deter acts that could lead to their harm, viewing it as a moral and ethical imperative.

Companion Bills

IA HF2575

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the nonconsensual causing of death of, or serious injury to, an unborn person, and providing penalties.(Formerly HSB 621.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2575

A bill for an act relating to the nonconsensual causing of death of, or serious injury to, an unborn person, and providing penalties.(Formerly HSB 621.)

IA HF2122

A bill for an act relating to certification requirements for the provision of abortion-inducing drugs, providing penalties, and providing effective date provisions.

IA HF119

A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of assault on a pregnant person, and providing penalties.(See HF 570.)

IA HF2215

A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

IA HB3038

Add unborn persons to the definition of driving under the influence and causing injury or death to an unborn person.

IA HSB15

A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of the smuggling of persons, and providing penalties.(See HF 572.)

IA HF2288

A bill for an act creating the Iowa our care, our options Act, and providing penalties.

IA SF2038

A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

IA HF2112

A bill for an act relating to unlawful activities, including those related to state residency and citizenship requirements in determining eligibility for public assistance, and the smuggling of persons, and providing penalties.(See HF 2608.)

IA HF231

A bill for an act relating to reckless driving and excessive speed, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 528.)

Similar Bills

IA HF2575

A bill for an act relating to the nonconsensual causing of death of, or serious injury to, an unborn person, and providing penalties.(Formerly HSB 621.)

CA AB2223

Reproductive health.

SD SB210

Establish an individual's right to make autonomous decisions about the individual's reproductive health care, and to repeal provisions related to abortion.

AZ HB2138

Abortion regulation; benefits

AZ HB2769

Abortion regulation; benefits

IL HB2453

GENDER-RELATED VIOLENCE

PA HB428

In assault, further providing for the offense of aggravated assault and for probable cause arrests in domestic violence cases; repealing provisions relating to abortion; in incapacitated persons, further providing for provisions concerning powers, duties and liabilities; providing for reproductive rights; imposing duties on the Department of Health; and imposing penalties.

PA SB837

In provisions relating to abortion, repealing provisions relating to short title of chapter and to legislative intent, further providing for definitions, repealing provisions relating to medical consultation and judgment, to informed consent, to parental consent, to abortion facilities, to printed information, to Commonwealth interference prohibited, to spousal notice, to determination of gestational age, to abortion on unborn child of 24 or more weeks gestational age, to infanticide, to prohibited acts and to reporting, further providing for publicly owned facilities, public officials and public funds and for fetal experimentation and repealing provisions relating to civil penalties, to criminal penalties, to State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and to construction; providing for reproductive rights; repealing provisions relating to compliance with Federal health care legislation as to regulation of insurers and related persons generally; imposing penalties; and making an editorial change.