H.R. 1997: Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2003-05-07 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-212.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2003-05-07 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Hart, Melissa A. [R-PA-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 5 recorded votes in our records. Latest: Senate vote 61 (2004): On the Amendment, HR1997 (2004-03-25), Amendment Rejected. See all
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-212. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004

Plain summary

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 or Laci and Conner's Law - Provides that: (1) whoever engages in conduct that violates specified provisions of the Federal criminal code, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, or specified articles the Uniform Code of Military Justice (conduct constituting certain Federal violent crimes) and thereby causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a child who is in utero, shall be guilty of a separate offense; and (2) the punishment for that separate offense shall be the same as that provided under Federal law for that conduct had that injury or death occurred to the unborn child's mother. Specifies that a violation of such provisions does not require proof that: (1) the person engaging in the conduct had knowledge or should have had knowledge that the victim of the underlying offense was pregnant; or (2) the defendant (or accused) intended to cause the death of, or bodily injury to, the unborn child. Prohibits imposition of the death penalty for an offense under this Act. Bars prosecution under this Act: (1) of any person for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on her behalf, has been obtained or for which such consent is implied by law; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Hart, Melissa A. [R-PA-4] · 136 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1997, Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 (2004-01-28); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1997, Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2003 (2004-01-28)

Cosponsors on this site

Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), John R. Carter (R-TX), Tom Cole (R-OK) and 76 more.

Recorded votes

House roll call 30 (2004): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR1997 (2004-02-26): Failed
House roll call 31 (2004): On Passage, HR1997 (2004-02-26): Passed
Senate vote 61 (2004): On the Amendment, HR1997 (2004-03-25): Amendment Rejected
Senate vote 62 (2004): On the Motion, HR1997 (2004-03-25): Motion Rejected
Senate vote 63 (2004): On Passage of the Bill, HR1997 (2004-03-25): Bill Passed

Words on this page, explained (1)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108hr1997.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/hr>

Record fed-us-cong108-hr1997 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108