(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa House on Wednesday passed HF 2329, a bill that bans the acquisition and research of aborted infant remains, by a 56 to 43 vote. The vote was split on party lines with Republicans voting in support of the bill, and Democrats voting against.
The bill was opposed by the Iowa Board of Regents due to the use of an embryonic stem cell line at the University of Iowa. State Representative Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley) offered an amendment that makes the bill effective upon enactment so “samples” (like the embryonic stem cell line) procured before the bill’s passage can still be used.
The ban, however, does not apply to diagnostic or remedial tests, procedures, or observations which have the sole purpose of determining the life or health of the pre-born baby in order to provide that information to the pregnant woman or to preserve the life or health of the unborn infant or pregnant woman. It also does not apply to funeral homes who are preparing the remains for burial, cremation or entombment or for receiving the remains for a pathological study.
Outside of the exceptions those who violate this act would be guilty of committing a class C felony which is punishable by a prison term of no more than 10 years, as well as, a minimum fine of $1000 up to a $10,000 maximum fine.
The bill now goes to the Iowa Senate where it is not likely to pass.