'Scum Of The Earth' Bill Advances

Legislation increasing the penalty for battering pregnant women, known informally as the "Scum of the Earth" Bill, has passed out of a House subcommittee.

"A society that tolerates people who beat up pregnant women has serious problems and I'm glad my colleagues agree," said Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City. "We must end the plague of violence against women and this bill is an important step in that process."

House Bill 1897, by Hamilton, would 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.

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