Bill Would Make Fetal Heartbeat Beginning of Childhood
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 24, 2013
A state lawmaker wants to modify the definition of "child" under the state's Child Maltreatment Act.
State Representative Justin Harris (R-West Fork) has filed legislation stipulating that from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected the state will consider the fetus a child.
The bill would require doctors to report pregnant women who use narcotics, alcohol, or other chemical substances for suspected child abuse.
The act's original language defines a child from "birth to 18 years of age."
