Indiana Senate Approves Bill That Would Require Doctors To Offer Ultrasound to Women Seeking Abortion

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 01 Mar 2005 - 20:00 PDT

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The Indiana Senate on Thursday approved 40-8 a bill... (SB 76) that would require abortion providers to tell women seeking abortion that they have the option of viewing an ultrasound of the fetus and hearing the fetus's heartbeat before undergoing the procedure, the Indianapolis Star reports. Under current law, abortion providers must tell women about the risks associated with both abortion and pregnancy and give women the option of viewing an image of a fetus and learning about a fetus's potential survival. State Sen. Michael Young (R), the measure's sponsor, said that the bill is necessary because women have told him they "didn't know this technology was available or doctors said it wasn't needed," according to the Star. The state Senate has approved similar measures during the past four legislative sessions, but the measures have failed in the state House. However, the measure is seen as having a better chance of passing in the Republican-controlled state House this session, according to the Star. State Rep. Bob Alderman (R), chair of the state House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee, said that he has not read the bill and does not know whether he will give it a hearing if it is sent to his committee (McNeil, Indianapolis Star, 2/25).

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