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HD 1311

An Act related to unborn victims of Down Syndrome

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

The bill would establish or clarify an unborn victim designation for pregnancies with Down syndrome, potentially affecting penalties or remedies in related offenses.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1311

Overview

  • Bill Number: HD 1311
  • Title: An Act related to unborn victims of Down Syndrome
  • Introduced: November 29, 2025
  • Status: Not specified in the provided information
  • Classification: Proposed bill

This summary reflects the bill’s title and introductory information. The actual text is not provided here, so the provisions below are framed as potential implications based on the bill’s title and common legislative patterns. Readers should consult the official bill text for precise language and scope.

Purpose and intent (inferred from the title)

  • The bill appears to address legal recognition or protections for an unborn child diagnosed with Down syndrome.
  • Potential aims may include creating or clarifying a status for an unborn “victim” in certain criminal statutes, or establishing related protections or remedies for the fetus and/or the pregnant person.
  • The title does not specify whether the bill relates to criminal penalties, civil remedies, healthcare considerations, or procedural definitions. The exact scope (e.g., homicide/assault enhancements, prosecutorial options, or definitions used in statutes) would be defined in the drafted text.

Potential provisions (inferred, not confirmed in the text provided)

  • Creation or specification of an “unborn victim” designation for pregnancies affected by Down syndrome within certain statutes.
  • Possible enhancements to penalties for crimes committed against an unborn child with Down syndrome, or new offenses/charges that would apply in such cases.
  • Clarifications to how this designation interacts with existing abortion, medical decision-making, and maternal health protections.
  • Definitions of terms (e.g., “unborn victim,” “Down syndrome,” and the point at which a fetus is covered by the statute).
  • Safeguards or exceptions to address medical contexts, rights of pregnant individuals, or conflicts with established constitutional protections (these would be critical for constitutional and practical considerations).

Who or what would be affected

  • Pregnant individuals and families, particularly those carrying a fetus diagnosed with Down syndrome.
  • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary interpreting and applying the statute.
  • Healthcare providers and possibly abortion providers, depending on the bill’s text and interplay with reproductive rights laws.
  • The broader legal framework governing fetal protections, victim status, and related penalties or remedies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: November 29, 2025. No status update is provided here.
  • Typical next steps (if pursued): referral to a committee, hearings, possible amendments, committee vote, floor discussion and vote, and potential passage by the House and Senate (and any necessary gubernatorial action), followed by any required implementation date.

Note and guidance for readers

  • The precise contents and impact depend entirely on the bill’s actual text. To understand the full scope, read the official bill language and accompanying fiscal notes once released.
  • To track progress: consult the official state legislature website or legislative information portal for HD 1311, monitor committee hearings, and review any amendments or fiscal impacts as the bill advances.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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