Fetal Homicide Crime Considered In Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- A new crime of killing a fetus -- without threatening abortion rights -- is the goal of a Colorado bill proposed with bipartisan sponsors.

The bill introduced Friday sets up a new felony called "unlawful termination of a pregnancy."

The measure makes clear that a woman or physician intentionally terminating a pregnancy wouldn't be subject to prosecution. The bill also says that fetuses would not be considered a "person" under the law.

The measure has support from lawmakers in both parties. Fetal homicide is a crime in some other states, and lawmakers here are paying more attention to fetal homicide after a hit-and-run accident in northeast Denver in December caused a 27-year-old woman to miscarry.

A hearing has not been scheduled for House Bill 1256.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)