Legislative Statement and Intent

(a)I Liheslaturan Guåhan understands that the physical harm or death of an expectant woman could equally result in the physical harm and death to the unborn child in her womb. For the woman who desires to carry and care for her unborn child to term, the protection and safety of the living being in her womb is something she should not have to worry about. To this statement, former President George W. Bush once expressed, “Any time an expectant mother is a victim of violence, two lives are in the balance, each deserving protection, and each deserving justice.”

(b)I Liheslaturan Guåhan finds that “The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2016”

(Act)is a step toward protecting an expectant mother and her unborn child, and recognizes that an unborn child is a legal victim if he or she is injured or killed during the commission of crimes of violence.

(c)I Liheslaturan Guåhan believes and further recognizes that while an expectant mother has a legal right to determine the fate of her unborn child, COL292017 CH. 17 UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT she should also be assured that any harm to her unborn child caused from unwarranted and unexpected harm directed at her will result in additional criminal sanctions against the responsible person(s).