House Bill Would Require Ultrasounds Before Abortions

A state House bill that would require women to get ultrasounds before they can get abortions is drawing concerns from local lawmakers.

Called the “Women’s Right to Know” bill, H.B. 1077 was voted out of committee and now goes to the state House for consideration.

But state , D-Cecil, said he has concerns about the motivation and the need for the procedure.

“I question the need for such a requirement mainly because I don’t know what the medical value is, and I’ve spoken to medical professionals who feel the same way,” he said.

agreed.

"It doesn't look like there is a medical purpose for the bill, but I am going to be looking at it closer," he said.

White also said he was concerned that the mandate would “increase medical costs and potentially invade a patient’s privacy.”

H.B. 1077 would require a woman to undergo an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. The bill would also require that the ultrasound display be placed in the patient’s line of vision, and that she be offered the opportunity to listen to the fetal heartbeat, according to state .

"I am personally opposed to abortion, except in cases of rape, incest and
endangerment of the mother. During this legislative session, I supported Act 122 of 2011, which imposed stricter standards on abortion clinics in Pennsylvania, and also SB 3, which would prohibit coverage of abortions under the new federal health care law. I am also supportive of measures that seek to provide education to a woman before she chooses to terminate a pregnancy," he said.

But Solobay, D-Canonsburg, added: "However, I have concerns that the current language in HB 1077 would force an intrusive medical procedure upon a woman and may be beyond the role of government."

“The bill mirrors a controversial legislation in Virginia that generated so much heat that Gov. Bob McDonnell demanded changes to the bill, which were adopted Tuesday,” the website PennLive.com reported.

Virginia lawmakers opted for external ultrasounds instead of vaginal ultrasounds because of the outcry.

PennLive.com added that if all the co-sponsors of the bill in the commonwealth voted for the legislation, it would clear the state House and move to the Senate for consideration.