Fetus-manslaughter bill passes House

The House of Delegates yesterday passed HB 398 which murder or manslaughter of a viable fetus a crime.

From the Baltimore Sun:

The bill states that it does not confer "personhood or any rights on the fetus." The death of a fetus by an assailant who also kills the mother would not be considered an aggravating circumstance to make the crime eligible for the death penalty under the legislation. The bill now goes to the Senate for approval.

It would seem that the House is trying to negotiate the difficult territory between the pro-choice and pro-life crowds.