Legislators In 11 States Plan To Require Ultrasound Prior To Abortion

February 9, 2009 10:11 a.m. EST

Lincoln, NE (AHN) - Nebraska Sen. Tony Fulton filed the Ultrasound Bill which seeks to require a pregnant woman contemplating abortion to undergo an ultrasound and see her fetus before she undergoes the procedure.

Fulton explained that the aim of the legislation is to have an informed consent, especially for young women who are on the verge of making grave choices prior to an abortion.

Nebraska is just one of 11 states contemplating on a mandated ultrasound. The other states include Indiana and Texas. Earlier, Wyoming legislators attempted to pass a similar law, but were defeated on the state House committee level before it could even reach the floor.

So far 16 states have laws that are related to mandated ultrasounds before an abortion is allowed. Oklahama's law, which is facing a court challenge, requires the ultrasound image to be showed to the woman and for a physician to describe the picture.

Fulton has a second less restrictive bill which merely requires the doctor to tell the woman seeking an abortion that an ultrasound test is available.

Abortion takes center stage once more in the U.S. as a national issue with the creation last week by President Barack Obama of a faith-based outreach office which seeks to strengthen family life and reduce abortions, beyond the usual social programs funded by the federal government.