The majority of North Country representatives voted for a bill that would allow murder charges for causing the death of a fetus more than eight weeks old.
As the Associated Press reported:
“Both the House and Senate had voted in favor of charging someone with first-degree murder, second-degree-murder or negligent homicide for causing a pregnant woman to lose her fetus, but they disagreed over when the bill should apply. The House originally wanted to apply the bill to fetal deaths after 24 weeks of pregnancy while the Senate set the threshold at eight weeks.
“The House on Wednesday agreed to accept the Senate version, sending the bill to Gov. John Lynch.”
HB 217passed the Senate 18 – 6 with Sen. John Gallus, a Republic from Berlin, voting against it.
Wednesday it passed the House on a 210 – 108 vote.
Eight North Country reps voted for the bill; five voted against it and three were excused from voting.
Here are the North Country reps voting in favor of the bill:
* Lyle Bulis (Republican) of Littleton
* Duffy Daugherty (Republican) of Colebrook.
* Edmond Gionet (Republican) of Lincoln.
* Larry Rappaport (Republican) of Colebrook.
* William Remick (Republican) of Lancaster
* Herb Richardson (Republican) of Lancaster
* Gregory Sorg (Republican) of Easton.
* John Tholl (Republican) of Whitefield
Here are the North Country reps voting against the bill:
* Gary Coulombe (Democrat) of Berlin
* William Hatch (Democrat) of Gorham
* Kathleen Taylor (Democrat) of Franconia
* Robert Theberge (Democrat) of Berlin
* Yvonne Thomas (Democrat) of Berlin
Here are the North Country reps excused from voting:
* Stephanie Eaton (Republican) of Littleton
* Evalyn Merrick (Democrat) of Lancaster
* Marc Tremblay (Republican) of Berlin
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/HB0217_SA.html
