Lawmakers look at crimes against pregnant women

Crimes against pregnant women in Colorado would be punished with a new statute that got initial approval from lawmakers.

The debate over punishment for killing a pregnant woman’s child has sparked fervent discussion from both sides of the abortion debate. Lawmakers say they’re trying to avoid a fight over abortion, and focus on creating a new law to properly punish crimes against pregnant women.

The House Judiciary committee voted 10-1 on Tuesday to create new felony charges for unlawful termination of a pregnancy. The Democratic-sponsored bill still needs to be debated by the entire House.

Republicans have tried passing bills to create such punishments, but Democrats have argued their proposals create a route to ban or restrict abortions.