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House approves statutory terminology change to 'pregnant female' amid medical-accuracy objections
Summary
House File 2253 would change certain Iowa code terms to 'pregnant female.' Opponents warned the change is medically inaccurate and excludes intersex individuals, but the House passed the bill 68-22 with 10 absent.
Representative Taylor said House File 2253 is primarily code cleanup and replaces existing statutory words like 'pregnant person' with 'pregnant female' in specified Iowa code sections. Representative Levin (Johnson) rose in opposition, stating the change is medically inaccurate and disregards intersex individuals.
The chair allowed brief back-and-forth; the sponsor argued consistent terminology is important for medical and criminal code clarity. The House recorded 68 yeas, 22 nays and 10 absent and declared the bill to have passed.
