Bill > S2478

This bill establishes a new law that criminalizes the knowing and intentional failure of a physician, nurse, or any other licensed medical professional to provide reasonable medical care and treatment to an infant who is born alive, meaning the infant breathes, has a beating heart, or shows definite voluntary muscle movement after being born, regardless of how the birth occurred or if the umbilical cord is cut. Such a failure would be considered a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, and if the infant dies as a result of this failure, the medical professional would be guilty of manslaughter. However, this law does not prevent parents or guardians from refusing medical treatment or care that is not medically necessary or reasonable, such as treatment not needed to save the infant's life, treatment with risks outweighing benefits, or treatment that only prolongs imminent death. This act will become law immediately upon its passage.

Justice

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