Guam lawmaker’s bill protecting the unborn is now public law

Legislation authored by Guam Senator Frank Blas Jr. that champions the rights of unborn children has been signed into law by Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo.

“The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2016” is now identified as Public Law 33-132.

“This new law recognizes a ‘child in utero’ as a legal victim, if he or she is injured or killed during the commission of crimes of violence,” said Blas. “As a community we recognize that the physical harm or death of an expectant woman could equally result in the physical harm and death to the unborn child in her womb. For the woman who desires to carry and care for her unborn child to term, the protection and safety of the living being in her womb is something she should not have to worry about.”

The public law that Blas authored was co-sponsored by 10 senators and they include: V. Anthony Ada, James V. Espaldon, Thomas Morrison, Dennis G. Rodriguez Jr., Tina Muna Barnes, Brant McCreadie, Thomas C. Ada, Rory J. Respicio, Michael F.Q. San Nicolas, Mary Camacho Torresm and Frank Blas Aguon Jr. The legislation passed last month with 14 votes in favor of the measure.

In 2004, former president George Bush signed into U.S. Public Law the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, making it a federal crime to cause intentional injury or death to an unborn child. However, the federal law only applies to certain offenses over which the United States government has jurisdiction, including certain crimes committed on federal properties, against certain federal officials and employees, and by members of the military. Additionally, the federal law covers certain crimes that are defined by statute as federal offenses wherever they occur, no matter who commits them, such as certain crimes of terrorism. Since the enactment of the law, 38 states have adopted similar legislation into their respective local law to extend the provisions of the law into state levels.

“Public Law 33-132 is a step toward protecting an expectant mother and her unborn child, and it recognizes that an unborn child is a legal victim if he or she is injured or killed during the commission of crimes of violence,” Blas said.

For more information, please contact the Office of Senator Frank F. Blas Jr. at 475-2527 or via email at frank.blasjr@gmail.com.