Proposed Bill Requiring Ultrasounds Before Abortions Delayed

Movement on a controversial bill that would require women to have ultrasounds before undergoing abortions was halted by a state House Republican leader Thursday.

The PennLive website reported that Majority Leader Mike Turzai told his members by email on Wednesday “that he has canceled a March 12 floor debate on the bill because of ‘concerns raised by the medical community, among others.’”

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.

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