Mississippi Bill Revising Penalties for Intentional Injuries to Pregnant People (HB 1059)

HB 1059 would amend the state criminal code regarding injuries to pregnant people that result in miscarriage or stillbirth to define “human being” and “person” to include an “unborn child” at every stage of gestation from conception until live birth.

The statute regarding injuries to pregnant people currently provides that any legal medical procedure performed by a licensed physician or other licensed medical professional—including legal abortions or the lawful dispensing or administration of lawfully prescribed medication—does not apply to any criminal enforcement. 

HB 1059 would remove these exceptions and instead provide that the provisions would not apply to medical procedures required to prevent the death of either the pregnant person or their “unborn child,” as long as every reasonable effort has been made to preserve the life of each.

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Latest Action

1/21/19 – Introduced; referred to Judiciary B Committee.

2/5/19 – Died in committee.

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People