House
Adjourned Sine Die
2025 Regular Session

HB523

Log in to follow

AN ACT relating to unborn children.

Create new sections of KRS Chapter 507, relating to criminal homicide, to allow a prosecution where the victim is an unborn child; provide exceptions for spontaneous miscarriages and lawful medical procedures; amend KRS 507.010 to define terms; create new sections of KRS Chapter 508, relating to assault, to define terms; allow a prosecution where the victim is an unborn child; provide exceptions for spontaneous miscarriages and lawful medical procedures; amend KRS 501.090 to allow the…

Introduced: February 13, 2025

Last action: February 21, 2025

To Judiciary (H)
Read the full textKentucky LegislatureLegiScan
AI-generated — always verify with primary sources
Plain-language summary
Beta

This bill would allow criminal homicide and assault charges to be filed when the victim is an unborn child, replacing Kentucky's existing fetal homicide law with new statutes under the general criminal code. It includes exceptions for spontaneous miscarriages and lawful medical procedures, and it allows a mother who is the defendant in such a case to use a duress defense. The Attorney General would gain the ability to prosecute these cases alongside local prosecutors. Who it may affect: pregnant women, medical providers performing pregnancy-related procedures, and prosecutors handling criminal cases involving harm to unborn children.

Open official bill text (PDF)·Report a problem with the summary

Legislative History

Feb 13, 2025 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 13, 2025 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 21, 2025 · House
To Judiciary (H)

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Richard White
Richard White

Representative · House District 099

Primary sponsor
Richard.White@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (2)

Portrait of Josh Calloway
Josh Calloway

Representative · House District 010

Co-sponsor
Josh.Calloway@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Emily Callaway
Emily Callaway

Representative · House District 037

Co-sponsor
emily.callaway@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Introduced (original)

Most current
Read

Something wrong on this page? Tell us