Posted on 07/07/2003 4:25:10 PM PDT by chance33_98
Chabot Subcommittee Hearing Tuesday on Unborn Victims of Violence Act
7/7/03 3:20:00 PM
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To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn of the House Committee on the Judiciary, 202-225-2492, http://www.house.gov/judiciary
News Advisory:
WHAT:
Legislative hearing on H.R. 1997, the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003" or "Laci and Conner's Law"
WHO:
Subcommittee on the Constitution - Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Chairman
WHEN:
2 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2003
WHERE:
2141 Rayburn Building
Under current federal law, an individual who commits a federal crime of violence against a pregnant woman is neither charged with any separate offense nor receives any additional punishment for killing or injuring the woman's unborn child during the commission of the crime. Except in those States that recognize unborn children as victims of such crimes, injuring or killing an unborn child during the commission of a violent crime has no legal consequences whatsoever. H.R. 1997, the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003" or "Laci and Connor's Law" would establish a separate offense for killing or injuring an unborn child during the commission of already-defined federal crimes.
Background:
-- According to studies in Maryland, North Carolina, Illinois and New York City, homicide is the leading cause of pregnant-associated deaths in those areas of the country.
-- A majority of states have enacted statutes permitting the prosecution of a person for the murder of both a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
This legislation:
-- Provides that when one commits a federal crime of violence against a pregnant woman, and thereby injures or kills the victim's unborn child, the perpetrator is guilty of the same offense that would have resulted had the same injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother.
-- Specifically exempts abortion-related conduct from prosecution. The protection this legislation affords to unborn children does not interfere with or restrict a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy.
Witnesses:
Mrs. Tracy Marciniak, mother of victim; Ms. Juley Fulcher, Director of Public Policy, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Ms. Serrin M. Foster, President, Feminist for Life of America; and Professor Gerard V. Bradley, University of Notre Dame School of Law.
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