SF 259: Relating to the definition of person from the moment of conception until natural death under the criminal code

What it does

This bill defines “person” for the purposes of the criminal code to be an individual living human being without regard to age of development from the moment of conception, when a zygote is formed, until natural death. Each such person is accorded the same rights and protections guaranteed to all persons by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and the laws of this state. The bill provides some exemptions to the interpretation and application of crimes against a person based on the definition.

Senate subcommittee · named February 13, 2019

• Sen. Jake Chapman (R)
• Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Annette Sweeney (R) · annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 6 for, 10 against

For: Concerned Women For America of Iowa; Iowa Right to Life Committee; Lutheran Family Service; Personhood Iowa; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); IA Mental Health Planning Council; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Conference of United Methodist Church; Iowa Independent Physician Group; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa; Planned Parenthood North Central States

In plain words

1. February 13, 2019Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 13, 2019Senate subcommittee named: Chapman, Petersen and Sweeney
3. February 21, 2019Subcommittee recommended passing it