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N.H. Governor's Veto Of Fetal Homicide Bill Stands

New Hampshire's House has failed to override Gov. John Lynch's veto of a bill that expanded the state's homicide law to include causing the death of a fetus.Lynch said he could support legislation that required a fetus to be "viable" or about 24 weeks old before a prosecution could be brought. The bill set the age at about eight weeks. Lynch said the bill fails to contain a "viability" standard.

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 did not have enough votes for a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

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