Alabama bill would let residents claim ‘unborn child’ as a dependent on taxes

The Alabama legislature recently passed a bill that would allow residents to claim an “unborn child” as a dependent on their taxes. The bill defines an unborn child as any “individual organism” that has a detectable heartbeat, and would offer residents the opportunity to claim expenses related to their pregnancy as tax deductions. The bill is currently waiting approval from Governor Kay Ivey, who has yet to indicate whether she will sign it into law. Supporters of the bill argue that it could help ease the financial burden on families preparing for a new child, while opponents contend that the legislation could be used to lay the foundation for a future challenge against Roe v. Wade. Whether or not the bill ultimately becomes law, it is certain to reignite debates about the ongoing conflict between pro-life and pro-choice beliefs in the United States.