AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate is set to debate a bill to outlaw violence against a fetus.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Debra Plowman, of Hampden, comes up for debate today.
It would create new crimes of murder, felony murder, manslaughter, assault, aggravated assault and elevated aggravated assault against an unborn child. Those crimes would not apply to an abortion to which the pregnant woman has consented.
Plowman’s bill is one of several supported by anti-abortion activists. The others deal with waiting periods, parental consent and informed consent.
Opponents say the bills are unnecessary, and that some of them would make it more difficult for women, particularly low-income and rural women, to get abortion services.
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