Amendments to Homicide Laws
In one sentence
Plain language
Official record
Bill Summary - 21LSO-0396 Bill No.: SF0096 Effective: 7/1/2021 12:00:00 AM LSO No.: 21LSO-0396 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0050 Chapter No.: 116 Prime Sponsor: Hutchings Catch Title: Homicide amendments. Subject: Murder of an unborn child. Summary/Major Elements: This bill creates two (2) new crimes: murder in the first degree of an unborn child and murder in the second degree of an unborn child. The bill defines "unborn child" as a member of the species homo sapiens, at any state of development, who is carried in a womb. The crime of murder of an unborn child (in the first or second degree) requires that a person commit the crime of murder or attempted murder (in the first or second degree respectively) against the mother of the child, and that the unborn child dies as a result of the person's actions. Punishment for the crime of first or second degree murder of an unborn child is consistent with the penalty imposed for murder in the first or second degree. The bill amends the sentencing enhancement for second degree murder of a pregnant woman to clarify it is only applicable to the murder of the pregnant woman. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 3:47 PM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues the amendment is not germane because it introduces a surprise policy change regarding the death penalty, which differs from the bill's original purpose of handling specific homicide situations.
H55
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because changing the bill to repeal the death penalty alters its original purpose regarding unborn life and violates constitutional provisions requiring a single subject.
R · H11
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports hearing the amendment because he believes protecting unborn life and opposing capital punishment are consistent issues that should be discussed together.
H52
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports hearing the amendment based on his view that the bill is fundamentally about life, implying a connection to the death penalty discussion.
R · H34
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because he believes the current bill is strictly for defining offenses rather than establishing penalties.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because he believes changing the bill to address death penalty repeal alters its original purpose of addressing murder of an infant or unborn child.
R · H02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because he views it as not germane and a violation of the Constitution regarding single subject requirements.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because he believes murder and manslaughter are the subject matter, making the death penalty discussion relevant to that same subject.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the chair's ruling against the amendment because he believes it violates constitutional provisions regarding a bill not being altered to change its original purpose.
R · S01
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker voted against the bill because certain definitions within it conflict with their church's beliefs and approval.
Wyoming roll calls
5 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
5 stored
The amendment changes specific wording and adds a new definition for 'unborn child' in the bill.
The amendment adds new penalties and definitions related to murder of an unborn child and enhances sentencing for certain crimes committed against pregnant women.
The amendment removes provisions related to the death penalty and modifies laws concerning murder sentencing, bail conditions, jury challenges, and DNA testing.
The amendment adds a new sentencing rule that increases penalties for murder convictions if the victim was pregnant and the defendant knew about it.
The amendment changes the sentencing provision for manslaughter and drug-induced homicide by setting a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and removing certain existing provisions.