Signed by Governor Bob McDonnell

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires an ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires that an external ultrasound be performed at least 24 hours prior to an abortion, except in cases of (Sec. 1):
  
  • The pregnancy is the result of incest or rape and the incident has been reported to law enforcement authorities;
  • Medical emergency; or
  • Spontaneous miscarriage.

• Requires that pregnant women who live more than 100 miles from the facility have an ultrasound at least 2 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the pregnant woman be provided an opportunity to view the ultrasound image and hear the fetal heartbeat and requires that a written certification be obtained from the woman that this opportunity was offered (Sec. 1).

• Requires a printed copy of the ultrasound image to be kept in the woman’s medical file for either 7 years or the extent required by applicable federal or state law, whichever is longer (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires an ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires that an external ultrasound be performed at least 24 hours prior to an abortion, except in cases of (Sec. 1):
  
  • The pregnancy is the result of incest or rape and the incident has been reported to law enforcement authorities;
  • Medical emergency; or
  • Spontaneous miscarriage.

• Requires that pregnant women who live more than 100 miles from the facility have an ultrasound at least 2 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the pregnant woman be provided an opportunity to view the ultrasound image and hear the fetal heartbeat and requires that a written certification be obtained from the woman that this opportunity was offered (Sec. 1).

• Requires a printed copy of the ultrasound image to be kept in the woman’s medical file for either 7 years or the extent required by applicable federal or state law, whichever is longer (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires an ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires an ultrasound at least 24 hours prior to an abortion that “accurately” portrays the image of the fetus and the sound of the fetal heartbeat, except in cases of medical emergency (Sec. 1).

• Requires that pregnant women who live more than 100 miles from the facility have an ultrasound at least 2 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the pregnant woman be provided an opportunity to view the ultrasound image and hear the fetal heartbeat and requires that a written certification be obtained from the woman that this opportunity was offered (Sec. 1).

• Requires a printed copy of the ultrasound image to be kept in the woman’s medical file for either 7 years or the extent required by applicable federal or state law, whichever is longer (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text