On Tuesday, the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved a bill that would allow women to view their ultrasound prior to an abortion if an ultrasound has been performed.
S.F. 2849 (H.F. 3194), authored by Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), added a paragraph to the state’s existing Woman’s Right to Know informed consent law.
The paragraph reads:
If, at any time prior to the performance of an abortion, a female undergoes an
ultrasound examination, or a physician determines that ultrasound imaging will be used
during the course of a patient’s abortion, the physician or the physician’s agent shall orally inform the patient of the opportunity to view or decline to view an active ultrasound image of the unborn child.
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) has strongly supported the bill. MCCL Legislative Director Andrea Rau told committee members, “While not all women regret their decision to have an abortion, some do. This legislation is meant to ensure that women have more comprehensive information in order to ensure they make the best decision for them.”
As LifeNews notes, “Even though most abortion facilities perform ultrasound prior to an abortion to determine the development and location of the unborn child and the appropriate abortion method, they typically do not offer women the chance to see the ultrasound.”