Arizona Republican Rep. Matt Gress wants to expand a state law that provides a tax credit for children to also include the number of months a person is pregnant. 

Under current law, tax credits only kick in the year a baby is born.

House Bill 2501 would provide a prorated tax credit to pregnant people based on the number of months they were pregnant in the tax year prior to birth.

Gress says that will help cover pre-birth expenses.

“There still are costs, pregnancy related costs that expectant families go through, either doctor's visits or getting the baby’s room setup, or what have you," Gress said. 

The bill makes no mention of how the credit would apply if there is a late-in-pregnancy miscarriage, a stillborn, or other prenatal issues that may result in a birth, but not a live baby. 

If passed, HB 2401 would apply retroactively to Jan. 1, 2023.

It was given preliminary approval by the House.