Life Lines™

"Unlawful Termination of Pregnancy" vs. "Homicide, Viable Fetus"

Pro-Life Maryland's earlier statement of opposition against House Bill 398 must be seen in the light of the bill's inferiority to House Bill 699. There are several limitations to the specification that only "viable" fetuses would be protected under law. First, pregnant women whose unborn children have not yet reached the stage of "viability" would be at greater risk of physical assault, since they would still be entirely vulnerable. Also, if a woman were to survive an attack, yet grieve the death of her unborn child who was not yet "viable," according to the law, her grief would be unfounded; and the punishment of the offense would be greatly reduced. Furthermore, House Bill 699 is not limited to "murder, manslaughter, or other unlawful homicide," but includes physical injury as well.

In all of these ways, House Bill 699 would more adequately protect vulnerable pregnant women and their unborn children. Nonetheless, House Bill 398: "Homicide, Viable Fetus" is vastly superior to no law at all, and would save many lives. For this reason, Pro-Life Maryland stands in support of House Bill 398, so long as additional amendments that would negatively affect it are not adopted (after 3/24/04). Pro-Life Maryland, will, however, support any amendments that would give greater protection to pregnant women and their unborn children.