Lawmakers in New Hampshire voted this week to close a loophole in a Republican "fetal homicide" bill after they realized its wording accidentally allowed pregnant women in the state to commit murder with impunity.

According to a report by the Concord Monitor, Senate Resolution 66 is a "fetal homicide" bill that defines a fetus past 20 weeks of gestation as a person in order to protect pregnant mothers and their unborn children from violence and offer the opportunity to take legal action if, for example, fetuses are killed in car accidents or attacks.

New Hampshire joins more than 30 other states with similar laws, which are subject to criticism from those who fear the bill treats a fetus as a person and could affect women's reproductive rights.

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The bill, put forward by state Republicans, originally included a caveat that "any act committed by the pregnant woman" wouldn't apply in instances of second-degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, or causing or aiding suicide.

Lawmakers realized after they had already passed the bill that the open-ended wording of "any act" technically made it legal for pregnant women to commit murder with impunity.

"No one advocated for anyone to murder anyone, that was not the intent,” House Majority Leader Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) said, according to the Concord Monitor.

On Thursday, lawmakers voted to close the loophole and change the unclear wording. Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said he will sign the bill into law.