CS/HB 137 - Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act

• Defines "unborn child" as the unborn offspring of a human being at any stage of gestation from fertilization until birth, expanding protections beyond the previous "viable fetus" standard.

• Amends vehicular homicide law to include killing an unborn child by injury to the mother, with penalties ranging from second-degree felony to first-degree felony if the driver knew of the accident and failed to render aid.

• Makes killing an unborn child by injury to the mother a murder or manslaughter offense at the same degree as would apply if the injury resulted in the mother's death, with exceptions for lawful abortion and medical treatment.

• Establishes that offenses involving unborn child deaths do not require knowledge that the mother was pregnant or intent to harm the unborn child, and do not require the mother's death.

• Effective date: October 1, 2012.