Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a physician to perform an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires the physician to do the following before a patient seeking an abortion can give informed consent (Sec. 1):
• Perform an ultrasound on the patient;
• Provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting;
• Display the ultrasound images so that the patient may view them; and
• Provide a medical description of the ultrasound images.

• Authorizes the patient to avert her eyes from the ultrasound image, with no penalty for either the physician or the patient if the patient does not look at the image (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the physician from these provisions of this bill in the case of a medical emergency, but the physician is required to (Sec. 1):
• Inform the patient of the medical indications of an emergency prior to performing the abortion; and
• Enter the reasons for concluding there is a medical emergency in the medical record of the patient.

• Establishes a fine of up to $100,000 for the first offense and up to $250,000 for subsequent offenses of a physician who violates the provisions of the bill (Sec. 2).

• Requires the court to report a violation of the provisions of the bill to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text