Hamilton Files 'Scum of the Earth Bill'
Women would have greater protection from violence under legislation filed by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City.
House Bill 1897, by Hamilton, will make physical abuse of a pregnant woman a felony. Under the bill, anyone convicted of beating a pregnant woman would face a minimum sentence of three years in prison. Anyone attacking a pregnant woman in an attempt to cause a miscarriage would face a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and abusers convicted multiple times would face at least 10 years in prison.
"I call this my 'Scum of the Earth Bill,'" Hamilton said. "The number one cause of death for pregnant women is murder, usually at the hands of the father of the baby. Once the woman and her baby are dead, we prosecute their attackers for murder. I want to stop the violence before it gets that far. That's why this bill intervenes earlier, before two people die horrible and needless deaths."
Hamilton said the bill would build on the landmark pro-life laws he authored in 2005 that allowed individuals who kill a pregnant woman to also face charges for the death of the baby. "The pro-life law of 2005 was a good start, but sending a murderer to prison after he's killed won't bring the mother and baby back to life," Hamilton said. "House Bill 1897 allows law enforcement to step in and stop the violence before it gets that far."
House Bill 1901, by Hamilton, would require law enforcement officials to arrest individuals who violate a victim's protective order. Under current law, the police are not required to arrest those who violate protective orders.
House Bill 1897, by Hamilton, will make physical abuse of a pregnant woman a felony. Under the bill, anyone convicted of beating a pregnant woman would face a minimum sentence of three years in prison. Anyone attacking a pregnant woman in an attempt to cause a miscarriage would face a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and abusers convicted multiple times would face at least 10 years in prison.
"I call this my 'Scum of the Earth Bill,'" Hamilton said. "The number one cause of death for pregnant women is murder, usually at the hands of the father of the baby. Once the woman and her baby are dead, we prosecute their attackers for murder. I want to stop the violence before it gets that far. That's why this bill intervenes earlier, before two people die horrible and needless deaths."
Hamilton said the bill would build on the landmark pro-life laws he authored in 2005 that allowed individuals who kill a pregnant woman to also face charges for the death of the baby. "The pro-life law of 2005 was a good start, but sending a murderer to prison after he's killed won't bring the mother and baby back to life," Hamilton said. "House Bill 1897 allows law enforcement to step in and stop the violence before it gets that far."
House Bill 1901, by Hamilton, would require law enforcement officials to arrest individuals who violate a victim's protective order. Under current law, the police are not required to arrest those who violate protective orders.
Labels: 2007 Legislature, Rebecca Hamilton, VPO
posted by Mike McCarville @ 9:23 AM
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