Signed by Governor Scott Walker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires physicians to perform an ultrasound on an abortion patient prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires a physician to perform an ultrasound on an abortion patient at least 24 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 4).

• Requires a physician performing the ultrasound to provide certain information, including but not limited to the following (Sec. 8):
• A simultaneous oral explanation to the abortion patient of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of the fetus and the number of fetuses;
• A display of the ultrasound images so that the abortion patient may view them;
• A medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the fetus and descriptions of any external features and internal organs that are present and viewable; and
• A means for the abortion patient to visualize any fetal heartbeat, if a heartbeat is detectable by the ultrasound.

• Prohibits any individual from requiring an abortion patient to view the ultrasound images or listen to the fetal heartbeat (Sec. 8).

• Requires a physician who performs an abortion to have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes any of the following individuals to bring a claim for damages including personal injury, emotional, and psychological distress against an individual who attempts to, or performs an abortion in violation of the provisions of this bill (Sec. 11):
• The abortion patient;
• The father of the fetus; or 
• Any grandparent of the fetus.

• Establishes a penalty of between $1,000 and $10,000 for a violation of the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Health Services to compile and distribute a list of facilities that provide ultrasounds at no cost (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires physicians to perform an ultrasound on an abortion patient prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires a physician to perform an ultrasound on an abortion patient at least 24 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 4).

• Requires a physician performing the ultrasound to provide certain information, including but not limited to the following (Sec. 8):
• A simultaneous oral explanation to the abortion patient of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of the fetus and the number of fetuses;
• A display of the ultrasound images so that the abortion patient may view them;
• A medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the fetus and descriptions of any external features and internal organs that are present and viewable; and
• A means for the abortion patient to visualize any fetal heartbeat, if a heartbeat is detectable by the ultrasound.

• Prohibits any individual from requiring an abortion patient to view the ultrasound images or listen to the fetal heartbeat (Sec. 8).

• Requires a physician who performs an abortion to have admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes any of the following individuals to bring a claim for damages including personal injury, emotional, and psychological distress against an individual who attempts to, or performs an abortion in violation of the provisions of this bill (Sec. 11):
• The abortion patient;
• The father of the fetus; or 
• Any grandparent of the fetus.

• Establishes a penalty of between $1,000 and $10,000 for a violation of the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Health Services to compile and distribute a list of facilities that provide ultrasounds at no cost (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text