Abortion; removes specific time frame for performance of ultrasound, informed consent. (SB920)

Introduced By

Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg) with support from co-patrons Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke), and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Timing of ultrasound prior to abortion; informed consent. Removes the specific time frame for performance of a pre-abortion ultrasound, a requirement of informed consent prior to abortion. Current law requires the ultrasound take place at least 24 hours prior to the abortion or at least two hours prior if the woman lives at least 100 miles from the facility where the abortion is to be performed. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/08/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15102243D
01/08/2015Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/19/2015Impact statement from VDH (SB920)
01/29/2015Failed to report (defeated) in Education and Health (6-Y 9-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

ACLU-VA Women's Rights and Reproductive Freedom, tracking this bill in Photosynthesis, notes:

The ACLU of Virginia strongly supports this bill because the mandatory ultrasound law is intended to shame, judge, and make a woman change her mind by requiring doctors to provide the woman with the option to view the ultrasound image and hear the heartbeat. Requiring an ultrasound before abortion is about political interference, not informed consent. Information should not be provided with the intent or result of shaming, judging, or making a woman change her mind, and health care decisions are best made by a woman and her doctor, not politicians. The requirement that women must wait 24-hours before receiving an abortion after their ultrasound causes a heavy burden on women who must travel at least twice to their abortion provider, find child care, pay for lodging, and miss work. The hoops established by the 24-hour mandate highlight how mandatory ultrasound laws are not about informed consent, but about restricting access to abortion.