SALEM, Ore. – A new bill seeking stricter punishment for anyone who attacks a pregnant woman passed the Oregon House Wednesday.

The legislation came in response to the murder of Heather Snively, 21, who was found dead inside the crawl space of her Beaverton home last Friday. Background: Pregnant woman killed

State Sen. Bruce Starr drafted the legislation that criminalized the murder or manslaughter of an unborn child. The bill was updated without the unborn child clause, and seeks to increase penalties for an attack on or killing of a pregnant woman.

Heather Snively

“In too many cases, violence against women often occurs during pregnancy. It is critical that we send a clear message that violence against all women is intolerable, but that violence against pregnant women is cause an even harsher sentence,” State Rep. Judy Steigler (D-Bend) said. “Whether the cause of the murder is a heinous crime such as the Heather Shiveley case or a domestic violence situation, we must send a clear signal that violence against pregnant women is cause for strong penalties.”

The bill passed the House on a 56-1 vote and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Leg. Assistant Dawn Phillips said the aim was to help prosecutors in the Roberts case come up with a way to “make the punishment fit the crime,” since under current Oregon law, the unborn child was not considered a murder victim. The law says the state defines a person as having drawn a first breath.

“The current aggravated murder law includes court employees and victims under 14 among others,” Starr said. “I would argue pregnant women are certainly very vulnerable and need a special level of protection.”

“No one should ever have to experience the loss we have,” Chris Popp, Snively’s boyfriend and former father-to-be said. “Losing not only one, but two family members makes this an aggravated crime.”

Popp also said they had set up a fund in Snively's name to help agencies that assist pregnant women. Donations could be given at any Bank of America.

HB 3505 increases this type of assault to a first degree crime with a maximum 20 year sentence and $375,000 penalty.