(RALEIGH) -- Several state lawmakers are seeking to criminalize acts that cause death or injury to a developing fetus.  The bill would make someone who commits murder, manslaughter or assault against a pregnant woman guilty of the same crimes against the fetus. The proposal would apply at any stage of the pregnancy except for cases of legal abortion.

Bill sponsor Rep. Dale Folwell said it is time that North Carolina law provides the same protections as federal law. "The killing of a pregnant woman in North Carolina is the peak of domestic violence," said Folwell.

House Minority Leader Joe Hackney said the proposal is just another battle in the fight against abortion. "As it is putting into the criminal law context issue of where life begins to a degree that we have not done in North Carolina which is difficult for prosecutors to deal with," said Hackney. Folwell countered that the legislation has nothing to do with the pro-life or pro-choice debate.

The measure also does not impose criminal liability on an expectant mother who suffers domestic violence which injures or kills her fetus.