Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the penalty for a conviction of child homicide and includes in the definition of child homicide the abortion of a fetus with a detectable heartbeat, effective July 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Increases the maximum prison sentence for a person found guilty of child homicide from 20 to 30 years (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a person is guilty of child homicide in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
  
  • The person is found guilty of manslaughter where the homicide was intentional; and
  • The person is over the age of 21 and the victim is a “child” under the age of 18.

• Defines “child” as including an “unborn child” at every stage of gestation from conception until live birth (Sec. 1).

• Exempts abortions from the provisions of this act if the abortion was performed in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
  
  • There is no detectable fetal heartbeat;
  • The abortion is medically necessary to prevent the death of the woman; or
  • The pregnancy resulted from an alleged act of rape or incest.

Full Bill Text