Michigan House Passes Bill to Include Unborn Babies in Child Tax Credit

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jun 25, 2021   |   12:12AM   |   Lansing, Michigan

Michigan lawmakers advanced a pro-life bill Wednesday to help mothers choose life for their unborn babies by allowing them to receive a child tax credit while they are pregnant.

ABC News 12 reports the pro-life legislation, House Bill 4644, passed the state House and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Sponsored by state Rep. Rodney Wakeman, R-Saginaw Township, the bill would expand the state $200 income tax credit to unborn babies. To qualify, mothers would be required to provide a note from their doctor confirming the pregnancy.

“The responsibility – and the costs – of having a child don’t wait until birth, they start the moment of pregnancy. Our tax law should reflect that,” Wakeman said. “This exemption will help offset the additional expenses that put pressure on growing families and promote access to timely prenatal care, which is invaluable to the health of mothers and babies.”

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Pro-life lawmakers said they hope the tax credit will help families who are struggling financially.

Tax credits are one of many ways pro-life advocates support mothers and babies, working to relieve the financial pressure that prompts some to consider abortion. Other states have passed similar measures. The 2019 Georgia heartbeat law, for example, also includes provisions allowing parents to claim unborn babies as dependents on their taxes and allowing mothers to collect child support for pregnancy and delivery costs from the father prior to the baby’s birth.

This week, Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, a pro-life Republican, announced plans to introduce a federal bill that also would allow unborn babes to qualify for the $3,600 federal child tax credit, according to the Washington Post.