(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:

1. (1) kills another human being; or

2. (2) kills a fetus that has attained viability (as defined in IC 16-18-2-365 );

   while acting under sudden heat commits voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony.

(b) The existence of sudden heat is a mitigating factor that reduces what otherwise would be murder under section 1(1) of this chapter to voluntary manslaughter.

As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.27; P.L.321-1987, SEC.1; P.L.261-1997, SEC.4; P.L.158-2013, SEC.413.