Florida House Committee Approves Bill That Would Require Ultrasounds Before All Abortions

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 26 Mar 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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A Florida House committee on Thursday voted 10-6 to approve a bill (HB 257) that would require physicians to conduct ultrasounds before all abortions, the AP/WSVN.com reports. Florida already requires physicians to perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions in the second and third trimesters, the AP/WSVN.com reports.

If passed, the bill would require physicians to inform women about the option of viewing ultrasound images but would not force women to view the images. The bill also requires someone at the clinic to "contemporaneously review and explain the live ultrasound images to the women," unless they are sexual assault survivors. The bill not does say if women can opt not to hear the explanation. The measure also would require judges to assign special guardians, known as guardians ad litem, to minors seeking abortions. Currently, Florida allows minors to have an abortion without notifying their parents if a judge approves the procedure. The aim of the provision is to assist judges in determining what is in the best interest of the minor, according to the AP/WSVN.com. The committee rejected a provision that would have provided $1 million to state courts to help them recruit guardians for the program. It also rejected a proposal that would have provided $1 million for clinics to purchase ultrasound equipment, the AP/WSVN.com reports. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Trey Traviesa (R), also dropped a requirement that would have made women wait 24 hours before undergoing abortions. Traviesa said he dropped the requirement because it likely would not clear the Senate.

Supporters of the bill said women about to undergo an abortion should have as much information as possible. However, Rep. Kelly Skidmore (D), an opponent of the measure, said that the bill is an attempt to discourage women from having abortions and that requiring women to look at ultrasounds does not serve any medical purpose. "It is another attempt to chip away at the reproductive rights of a woman," Skidmore said. Traviesa argued that the requirement "does not remove choice, it ensures the choice is an informed one."

One more House committee must consider the bill before it can be considered on a floor vote, the AP/WSVN.com reports (AP/WSVN.com, 3/21).

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