Vote Smart's Synopsis:

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

Highlights:

• Requires a physician to perform an ultrasound on a woman seeking an abortion prior to her providing signed consent for the abortion (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the physician to simultaneously provide an explanation of the following while administering the ultrasound (Sec. 1):
• A description of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of a fetus;
• A medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus; and
• A description of any visible external members and internal organs. 

• Requires the physician to display the imagines so that the woman seeking the abortion may view them (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that nothing in this bill prevents the woman seeking the abortion from refusing to look at the displayed images (Sec. 1).  

• Specifies that neither the physician nor the woman seeking the abortion will incur a penalty if the woman chooses to avert her eyes from the ultrasound image (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the following fines for a physician in violation of this bill (Sec. 2):
• Up to $100,000 for the first offense; or
• Up to $250,000 for each subsequent offense.

• Requires the court presiding over a physician’s violation of this bill to report the violation to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure for any action and discipline the board deems appropriate (Sec. 2). 

Full Bill Text