The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

The bill states that it would not prohibit or restrict access to abortion services legal in Alabama, and state House lawmakers added an amendment that says a pregnant woman could not be charged with assault or homicide if she was "also a victim," according to the Register. Collier said he has introduced similar legislation in two previous sessions, but they were not approved (Owen, Mobile Register, 4/8). "All human life, in its various forms, deserves to have equal protection from crime, and those who commit violent acts against any life, born or unborn, should be punished severely," Collier said (Johnson, AP/al.com, 4/7). However, Carol Gundlach, executive director of the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said, "I am still not convinced that this is a particularly effective deterrent to domestic violence, but as a crime bill it does no harm" (McGrew, Montgomery Advertiser, 4/8). State Sen. Bradley Byrne (R) has introduced a companion measure (SB 90) in the Senate, but Byrne said the measure might "simply be buried" in the chamber. Gov. Bob Riley (R) on Thursday "praised" the House vote, the Register reports. "Pregnant women who have been harmed by violent crime know they are not the only victims," Riley said, adding, "Their unborn child is also a victim, and both should be protected by law" (Mobile Register, 4/8).