Bills › 88th General Assembly

HF 621Died when the session ended · March 6, 2019

Relating to personal injury to a viable fetus

Topics:Courts & civil lawReproductive rights

Same legislation: HF 2352

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedMarch 5, 2019
  2. Done: SubcommitteeMarch 5, 2019
  3. Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
  4. Next: Passes the House
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2020 session adjourned on June 14, 2020, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If a person wants to sue for injuries caused to a viable fetus, a parent or legal guardian must file the lawsuit on the fetus's behalf. These legal claims can be filed on their own or combined with a claim for the parent's own losses. The court must also follow specific legal rules to ensure the fetus's rights are protected when deciding if it was viable.1

Read the official explanation

This bill provides that an action seeking damages for personal injury to a viable fetus must be brought by a parent, court-appointed guardian, or conservator, as the real party in interest. Such claims may be brought as an independent action or joined with a parental claim for loss of consortium. Additionally, the bill provides that a court shall not adjudicate the issue of viability of a fetus under the bill without affording the fetus, through the real party in interest, due process and equal protection of the law.

Full bill text2

House subcommittee

Named March 5, 2019. On March 6, 2019 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§613.15C

How the Code works3

Lobbying

4 for · 6 against · 3 undecided · Who →

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