UPDATE: It’s official the amended “ultrasound probe” bill has passed in the House of Delegates and will had to Governor Bob McDonnell’s desk to be signed into law. The “ultrasound probe” law will take effect on July 1, 2012.
The House passed the bill by a 64-35 margin. Delegate Joe Morrissey, District 74, Virginia House of Delegates said this law “is the only non-consensual touching of a woman in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” He added, “anywhere else this would be classified as a battery.”
Virginia’s controversial “ultrasound probe” bill has the approval of the House of Delegates, but amendments were added by Governor Bob McDonnell. The measure still requires an ultrasound before women can have an abortion. The senate passed the bill by a 21-19 margin.
Senator Donald McEachin ways in on the measure. Who will fund the ultrasound? Will it be health insurance companies or the state? Senator McEachin said “neither because doctors don’t feel that the ultrasound is medically necessary”
The Senate voted on the “ultrasound” bill (sb484) because of the revised language in the House bill. The bill originated in the Senate.
Governor Bob McDonnell says the transvaginal ultrasound is not needed. In others words, just jelly on the belly.
Governor Bob McDonnell’s statement on the “ultrasound” bill http://governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1148
Abortion; informed consent. Requires that, as a component of informed consent to an abortion, to determine gestation age, every pregnant female shall undergo ultrasound imaging and be given an opportunity to view the ultrasound image of her fetus prior to the abortion. The medical professional performing the ultrasound must obtain written certification from the woman that the opportunity was offered and whether the woman availed herself of the opportunity to see the ultrasound image or hear the fetal heartbeat. A copy of the ultrasound and the written certification shall be maintained in the woman’s medical records at the facility where the abortion is to be performed. This bill incorporates SB 279 (Smith).
Please view the floor amendment to SB484 Abortion; informed consent http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB484H2+pdf
