Life at Conception Act
The Life at Conception Act (H.R. 722) would, in its introductory form, declare that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution applies to every human being from the moment of fertilization, including preborn (unborn) life. It asserts Congress’s authority under the Constitution to enact laws implementing equal protection for the right to life of both born and preborn persons. Importantly, the bill adds a protection stating that nothing in the Act shall authorize prosecuting a woman for the death of her unborn child. The text defines “human person” as beginning at fertilization (or equivalent moment) and expands the constitutional definition of “State” for purposes of the 14th Amendment to include DC, Puerto Rico, and other territories. As introduced, the bill does not itself create specific criminal penalties or enforcement mechanisms; further legislation would be required to implement any concrete prohibitions or penalties.
Key Points
- 1Establishes equal protection for the right to life of both born and preborn human beings, with life beginning at fertilization.
- 2Defines “human person” and “human being” to include life from the moment of fertilization (and related moments like cloning).
- 3Clarifies that “State” for purposes of the 14th Amendment includes DC, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.
- 4States that nothing in the Act authorizes prosecuting a woman for the death of her unborn child.
- 5Authorizes Congress to use its Article I and 14th Amendment Section 5 powers to make necessary and proper laws to implement this protection; however, no specific enforcement provisions or penalties are included in the text as introduced.