Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: April 23,
2008
Sen. Debbe Leftwich
Senate
Approves Harsher Penalties for Attacks on Pregnant Women
The full Senate has given approval to a measure
known as the “Scum of the Earth Bill.” Sen. Debbe
Leftwich is Senate author of House Bill 1897 which strengthens
penalties for assaulting a pregnant woman.
“The number one cause of death for pregnant women is domestic
violence,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “Here in
Oklahoma, more than 3,000 pregnant women are attacked every year,
and usually the attacker is the father of the baby, often with the
intent of causing the mother to miscarry. It is a heinous crime,
and the men who do this deserve stronger punishment.”
The measure, authored by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City,
in the House, would allow felony charges to be filed against a person
who assaults a woman and causes her to miscarry. Under the legislation
known as the “Scum of the Earth Bill,” a person convicted
of beating a woman the attacker knew was pregnant could be charged
with a misdemeanor and face up to one year in jail. A person convicted
of a second or subsequent offense would be guilty of a felony and
would face ten years in prison. If the attack resulted in a miscarriage
or injury to the unborn child, it would be a felony with a penalty
of at least 20 years in prison.
“Under current state law, we can file double murder charges
for the homicide of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, and that’s
appropriate,” Leftwich said. “But we need to enact penalties
that can actually help us step in and take action before a domestic
situation escalates to the point of murder. I believe House Bill
1897 can help us do that.”
The measure now goes back to the House for final consideration,
bringing it one step closer to the Gov. Brad Henry’s desk.
For more information contact:
Senator Leftwich's Office: (405) 521-5557
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