Iowa Bill Regarding Personal Injury to a Viable Fetus Claims (HF 621)

This law was last updated on Mar 10, 2019

State

Iowa

Number

HF 621

Status

Proposed

Mar 5, 2019

Topics

Personhood, Substance Abuse During Pregnancy

Full Bill Text

www.legis.iowa.gov

HF 621 provides that an action seeking damages for personal injury to a viable fetus must be brought by a parent, court-appointed guardian, or conservator, as the real party in interest.

The bill would prohibit a court from adjudicating the issue of viability of a fetus without affording the fetus, through the real party in interest, due process and equal protection of the law.

If passed, a purported “father” would be able to file a personal injury claim on behalf of a fetus or embryo against a doctor who performs an abortion or even the pregnant person who obtains one. They could also potentially file a personal injury claim against a pregnant person for any alleged substance abuse.

Latest Action

3/5/2019 – Introduced; referred to House Judiciary Committee.