Louisiana Governor Signs Bill Allowing Women to See Ultrasound Before Abortion
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 7, 2010
Baton Rouge, LA (LifeNews.com) — On Tuesday, Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana signed into law two pro-life bills including one that opts the state out of abortion funding under the federal health care law and another that allows women a chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before the abortion.
The Ultrasound Before Abortion Act, SB 528, authored by Senator Sharon Weston Broome (D-Baton Rouge), would require ultrasounds to be performed before all abortions in Louisiana.
Women would be given an opportunity to see it or sign a document saying they did not decide to do so. They’re normally not given a chance to see ultrasounds of their baby and pro-life advocates hope the ultrasound will persuade some women to choose abortion alternatives.
Louisiana Right to Life Federation brought forward the pro-life bills and helped navigate them through the legislative process.
Benjamin Clapper, executive director of the group, told LifeNews.com today that "Louisiana furthered its exemplary commitment to defending unborn human life by enacting these critical pieces of pro-life legislation."
"We thank Governor Jindal for signing these bills into law and for his administration working with us every step of the way to pass these measures," he added.
“We brought these bills forward to the legislature out of the desire to increase the positive effects of ultrasound and to prevent the government funding of abortion. We are confident these new laws will save the lives of unborn children and open the door to life-affirming choices for mothers,” Clapper said.
During the testimony, Clapper said 30-40 places do free ultrasounds in the state and most abortion centers do an ultrasound prior to the abortion already, though women may not get to see it.
Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, a Democrat, said she wanted the state informed consent law on abortion to provide women even more information.
“I felt it was necessary for us to go farther,” Broome said, according to the Advocate newspaper. “I call it an empowerment piece of legislation for women.”
Julie Mickelberry, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana, opposed the bill. She said Broome isn’t doing anything to help pregnant women and said the bill intrudes on the doctor-patient relationship.
“You don’t know me or what I have done to help women in this community and throughout the state,” Broome responded, according to the Baton Rogue newspaper. “We have no physicians who have come in opposition to this bill from any of the statewide organizations, and I think that speaks volumes."
"I think women should have as much information as possible before they make a critical decision about having an abortion," Broome said.
The legislation also has the support of the Bioethics Defense Fund and BDF attorney Dorinda Bordlee drafted the bill.
"Science tells us when life begins," she told LifeNews.com. "The real question is when love begins. Ultrasound before abortion legislation is highly effective because of the unexpected love women experience when seeing the beauty of their unborn children."
When used in pregnancy centers, women considering an abortion who see the ultrasound change their mind about the abortion about 80 percent of the time.
Governor Jindal also signed into law HB 1370 by Rep. Fred Mills (D-Parks) that gives more authority to the Department of Health and Hospitals to close down abortion facilities not in compliance with Louisiana law.
Related web sites:
Bioethics Defense Fund – https://www.BDFund.org
Louisiana Governor – https://www.gov.louisiana.gov
Louisiana Right to Life – https://www.prolifelouisiana.org
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
