SB 956 - Under current law, a physician who is to perform or induce an abortion, or a qualified professional, is required to provide the woman the opportunity to view an active ultrasound of the unborn child. This act requires the physician, or qualified professional, to perform the ultrasound at least 72 hours prior to the abortion so that the woman may hear the heartbeat of the unborn child. Should the woman decide to obtain an additional ultrasound from another provider, the woman shall be offered reasonable time to do so before the abortion. During the ultrasound, the physician shall provide an explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of the unborn child, the number of unborn children, and, if the ultrasound indicates the death of the unborn child, the physician shall inform the woman of that fact. No abortion shall be performed or induced unless the woman certifies in writing that she has viewed an active ultrasound image of the unborn child and heard the heartbeat, or declined to do so. This act is similar to HB 1956 (2020).
SARAH HASKINS