House Bill 147

Chair's Name: David Ralston

Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

House Sponsor: James Mills 

HB 147 adds to the information that must be provided to a woman prior to an abortion. In situations where an ultrasound is performed before an abortion or in a screening, the woman must be given the opportunity to view the ultrasound and hear the fetal heartbeat. Also, women must be provided with a list of facilities which offer ultrasounds free of charge.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Ralston�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Offering the opportunity to pregnant women to view ultrasound imaging if such is available and to listen to the fetal heartbeat, if one can be heard, prior to undergoing an abortion procedure

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

Gives a pregnant woman another opportunity to rethink her decision to have an abortion after viewing an ultrasound and/or hearing the fetal heartbeat

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

By offering a pregnant woman another opportunity to rethink her decision to terminate a pregnancy

Senate Changes:

The Senate substituted different language and changed the code sections. The new language creates new forms and reporting requirements. The Senate language also fails to address concerns which had been covered under the original House language.

The House disagreed with the Senate changes and the Senate insisted. Representative Mills will likely move to insist on the House's position and a conference committee will be appointed.