A Virginia House of Delegates committee endorsed legislation stating that human life begins at conception.
The Courts of Justice Committee voted 14-4 Friday to send Del. Bob Marshall's so-called “personhood” bill to the House floor.
The Prince William County Republican is known as one of the legislature's most outspoken opponents of abortion. However, he said his bill would not affect legal abortions but would establish a framework for parents to sue someone who causes the death of their unborn child.
Opponents of Marshall's bill said it's clearly intended to lay the groundwork for outlawing abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever gives states authority to do so.
Similar legislation passed in the House last year but was killed by a Senate committee.
