Nebraska Legislative Committee Backs Bill to Allow Ultrasound Before Abortion
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 9, 2009
Lincoln, NE (LifeNews.com) — A Nebraska legislative committee approved a bill on Thursday that would allow women a chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before an abortion is done. Today, the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee signed off on LB 675, which would help women and reduce abortions in the state.
The committee added an amendment to the bill clarifying that the ultrasound image would be presented in a way where women can ask to see them rather than having to avert their eyes if they don’t wish to look.
Julie Schmit-Albin, the executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, told LifeNews.com her group is excited the bill made it through committee.
"We thank the Judiciary Committee for working on this issue and sending LB 675 to the floor for consideration by the full legislature," she said.
"LB 675 will ensure that an ultrasound of a pregnant woman’s unborn child will be on display at least one hour prior to an abortion, giving the mother the opportunity to view her unborn child on the screen if she so chooses," she added.
"LB 675 puts the responsibility back on the abortionist where it belongs; ensuring that the ultrasound screen is displayed in such a manner that the mother can make the decision to look or not look at the screen," said Schmit-Albin. "This is an improvement over the current system where abortionists claim they offer the mother the option to view her child, but may not be displaying the screen towards her."
Senator Beau McCoy is the sponsor of the Mother’s Right to See Her Unborn Child/Ultrasound bill, which he made a priority for the session so it would have a chance for a debate and vote.
The legislation gives women an opportunity to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before making the decision to have an abortion. When used in pregnancy centers, as many as 80 percent of women choose abortion alternatives instead.
Schmit-Albin told LifeNews.com previously that she appreciated McCoy’s move.
"We appreciate that Senator Beau McCoy saw the need to prioritize" the pro-life bill. "Priority status will help to bring the bill out of committee and onto the floor for eventual passage this session."
LB 675 has 14 co-sponsors, including Sen. McCoy, and they include Senators Mike Flood; Mike Friend, Chris Langemeier, Arnie Stuthman, Pete Pirsch, Deb Fischer, Abbie Cornett, Scott Price, Mark Christensen, Scott Lautenbaugh, Charlie Janssen,Tom Carlson, and Ken Schilz.
If passed, Legislative Bill 675 "will be one of the strongest ultrasound laws in the country," Albin says.
"If passed, LB 675 would ensure that the mother, at least one hour prior to the abortion, has a window to the womb. She should be given every opportunity to see her baby and reject the abortion at that point," she said.
ACTION: Ask your member of the legislature to support the abortjon-ultrasound bill. Go to https://www.unicam.state.ne.us
Related web sites:
Nebraska Right to Life – https://www.nerighttolife.org
Nebraska Legislature – https://www.unicam.state.ne.us
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