HB156 (2018) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 Short Title. This act shall be known as Griffin's Law.

2 Homicide; Capital Murder. Amend RSA 630:1, IV to read as follows:

IV. As used in this section and RSA 630:1-a, 1-b, 2, 3 and 4, the meaning of "another" does shall not include a foetus fetus.

3 New Paragraphs; First Degree Murder; Definition of Another; Exemption for Abortion. Amend RSA 630:1-a by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraphs:

IV. For the purposes of this section and RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, and RSA 630:4, the meaning of "another" shall mean another person, or a fetus as defined in subparagraph V(b).

V.(a) Nothing in this section or RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, or RSA 630:4 shall apply to any act committed by the woman pregnant with the fetus, to any medical procedure, including abortion, performed by a physician or other licensed medical professional at the request of the pregnant woman or her legal guardian, or to the lawful dispensation or administration of lawfully prescribed medication. For the purposes of this section and RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, or RSA 630:4, "abortion" means the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the fetus. Such use, prescription, or means is not an abortion if done with the intent to save the life or preserve the health of a fetus, or to remove a dead fetus caused by spontaneous abortion, or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

(b) In this section, "fetus" means an unborn offspring, from the embryo stage which is the end of the eighth week after conception or, in the case of in vitro fertilization, the end of the eighth week after implantation, until birth.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 Short Title. This act shall be known as Griffin's Law.

2 Homicide; Capital Murder. Amend RSA 630:1, IV to read as follows:

IV. As used in this section , the meaning of "another" shall not include a fetus.

3 New Paragraphs; First Degree Murder; Definition of Another; Exemption for Abortion. Amend RSA 630:1-a by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraphs:

IV. For the purposes of this section and RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, and RSA 630:4, the meaning of "another" shall mean another person, or a fetus as defined in subparagraph V(b).

V.(a) Nothing in this section or RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, or RSA 630:4 shall apply to any act committed by the woman pregnant with the fetus, to any medical procedure, including abortion, performed by a physician or other licensed medical professional at the request of the pregnant woman or her legal guardian, or to the lawful dispensation or administration of lawfully prescribed medication. For the purposes of this section and RSA 630:1-b, RSA 630:2, RSA 630:3, or RSA 630:4, "abortion" means the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the fetus. Such use, prescription, or means is not an abortion if done with the intent to save the life or preserve the health of a fetus, or to remove a dead fetus caused by spontaneous abortion, or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

(b) In this section, "fetus" means an unborn offspring, from the embryo stage which is the end of the eighth week after conception or, in the case of in vitro fertilization, the end of the eighth week after implantation, until birth.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.