LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas House panel will consider changing the law to clarify that assault and battery can be committed against an unborn child.
Republican Rep. Nate Bell of Mena says he filed the four-word change to the criminal code to protect children from being exposed to illegal drugs. The bill would amend the definition of person in the criminal code to say that felony assault and battery offenses can be committed against an unborn child.
Arkansas law already defines an unborn child in any stage of development as a person for capital murder and negligent homicide cases.
Bell said the bill is needed to clarify the law after the Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld a ruling against a woman who introduced methamphetamine into her child's system while pregnant.
