Fla. Senate Committee Approves Bill Requiring Women To Have Ultrasounds Before Undergoing Abortion
April 11, 2008
The Florida Senate Health Regulation Committee voted 4-3 on Tuesday to approve a bill (SB 2400) that would require a woman to have an ultrasound prior to obtaining an abortion at any stage of pregnancy, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports (Kennedy, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 4/9). Under the bill, a woman would be required to pay for the ultrasound and view the results unless she signs a written waiver, Miami Herald reports (Klas, Miami Herald, 4/9). The measure provides exceptions to the ultrasound requirement in cases of rape, incest, domestic violence, human trafficking or if the doctor diagnoses the woman with a “condition that, on the basis of a physician’s good faith clinical judgment, would create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function if the woman delayed terminating her pregnancy” (SB 2400 bill text, 4/9).
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the “sharply divided” vote reflects the more moderate Senate. “In the full Senate, it’s hard to say” whether the bill will pass, Sen. Daniel Webster (R), the bill’s sponsor, said. The full Senate is expected to vote on the measure within the next two weeks (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 4/9). Florida already requires ultrasounds prior to second or third trimester abortions — about 5% of the 96,000 abortions performed in 2007, according to the Herald (Miami Herald, 4/9). The House last week approved an even stricter version of the bill (HB 257) (Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, 4/3). Unlike the House bill, the Senate version does not require minors to obtain a court-appointed guardian when they seek a judge’s permission to have an abortion without notifying their parents (Miami Herald, 4/9).
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