A bill for an act relating to the treatment of an unborn child for the purposes of damages for wrongful death, the defense of compulsion, homicide and related crimes, and assault, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Iowa House File 453 (HF453) is a bill introduced on February 18, 2025, that aims to redefine the legal status of an unborn child in various contexts. Specifically, it seeks to: 1) Allow parents to claim damages for the wrongful death of an unborn child; 2) Include unborn children in the definitions of victims for certain crimes, such as homicide and assault; and 3) Modify the defense of compulsion to account for actions taken by pregnant women concerning their unborn children. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee but did not progress further.

Supporters of HF453 argue that the bill recognizes the rights of unborn children and provides justice for families who experience the loss of an unborn child due to wrongful acts. They believe it strengthens legal protections for the unborn and aligns with pro-life values by acknowledging the personhood of fetuses in legal contexts.

Opponents of HF453 contend that the bill could infringe upon women's reproductive rights by granting legal status to fetuses, potentially leading to restrictions on abortion access. They express concern that such legislation may criminalize certain behaviors of pregnant women and interfere with personal medical decisions.