Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Senate approved a pro-life bill that would require abortion practitioners to give women the option of seeing an ultrasound of their developing baby. The measure now heads to Governor Ted Strickland and a leading pro-life group is asking for people to call the governor and urge him to sign it.

When used in pregnancy centers, ultrasounds persuade large majorities of women not to have an abortion. Lawmakers hope requiring abortion practitioners to do them will help reduce abortions further.

The Ohio House approved the Ultrasound Viewing Option Bill, H.B. 314, in December on a 73-20 margin.

On Thursday, the Senate followed suit by approving the bill 24 to 8 and now it goes to Governor Strickland, who is a longtime abortion advocate.

Ohio Right to Life is asking for pro-life advocates to call the governor and urge him to sign the bill into law.

"Tell the Governor that, just as patients are often shown x-rays before surgery, ultrasounds provide scientifically accurate information that women should have an opportunity to view in order to make a more informed decision," the group said in an action alert.

Rep. Shannon Jones, a Springboro Republican, is the main sponsor of the legislation.

According to Ohio Right to Life, the vote broke down as follows:

The following Senators voted the pro-life position FOR H.B. 314: Ron Amstutz; Steve Austria; John Boccieri; Steve Buehrer; John Carey; Gary Cates; Kevin Coughlin; Keith Faber; David Goodman; Bill Harris; Jeff Jacobson; Lance Mason; Larry Mumper; Tom Niehaus; Joy Padgett; Tom Sawyer; Tim Schaffer; Robert Schuler; Kirk Schuring; Bill Seitz; Robert Spada; Steve Stivers; Mark Wagoner; and Jason Wilson. (24)

The following Senators voted the pro-abortion position AGAINST H.B. 314: Capri Cafaro; Teresa Fedor; Eric Kearney; Dale Miller; Ray Miller; Sue Morano; Tom Roberts; and Shirley Smith. (8)

ACTION: Contact Govenor Strickland and urge him to sign HB 314 into law. Contact him at Gov. Ted Strickland, 77 S. High St., 30th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6117, call (614) 466-3555, or go here to send an email message.

Related web sites:
Ohio Right to Life - http://www.ohiolife.org
Ohio Senators - http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/SenateZipSearch.html
Ohio Representatives - http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp