Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires physicians to perform a sonogram on and provide other information to abortion patients prior to an abortion.

Highlights:

• Requires physicians to inform abortion patients of the following at least 24 hours prior to performing an abortion (Sec. 2):
• The physician's name; 
• The particular medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure to be employed; 
• The probable gestational age of the fetus; -The medical risks associated with carrying the pregnancy to term; 
• Available medical assistance benefits for prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care; 
• The liability of the father for child support without regard to whether the father has offered to pay for the abortion; 
• Public and private agencies that provide pregnancy prevention counseling and medical referrals for obtaining contraceptive medications or devices, including emergency contraception for victims of rape or incest; and 
• A comprehensive list of agencies and organizations that offer sonogram services at no cost to the pregnant woman.

• Requires the physician who is to perform the abortion or a certified sonographer to perform a sonogram on the pregnant woman at least 2 hours prior to an abortion (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the physician who is to perform the abortion to provide the following information during the sonogram (Sec. 2):
• Images from the sonogram, displayed in a manner that the pregnant woman may view them; 
• A verbal explanation of the results of the sonogram images, including a medical description of the embryo or fetus, the presence of cardiac activity, and the presence of external members and internal organs; 
• An "auscultation" of the heartbeat of the fetus, if present; and 
• A simultaneous verbal explanation of the heart auscultation.

• Authorizes the pregnant woman to refuse to view sonogram images or listen to the heartbeat of her fetus (Sec. 3). 

• Authorizes the pregnant woman to refuse to receive a verbal explanation of the sonogram images if any of the following is true (Sec. 3):
• The woman's pregnancy is a result of sexual assault, incest, or other crime; 
• The woman is a minor; or 
• The fetus has an irreversible medical condition.

• Requires the pregnant woman to complete and sign an election form that documents the following (Sec. 1):
• That the pregnant woman understands the nature and consequences of an abortion; 
• That the pregnant woman understands that she has the right to view sonogram images, a heart auscultation, and a verbal explanation of sonogram images; 
• That the pregnant woman elects or does not elect to view sonogram images, listen to the heartbeat, or receive a verbal explanation of sonogram images of the fetus; 
• That the pregnant woman elects to receive or not receive a verbal explanation of sonogram images because she is either a victim of sexual assault or a minor, or because the fetus has an irreversible medical condition; and 
• That the pregnant woman is making this election of her own free will and without coercion.

• Exempts physicians from the requirement to obtain informed consent if the abortion is being performed as a result of a medical emergency, provided that the physician document the nature of the medical emergency and report it to the Department of State Health Services within 30 days of the abortion (Sec. 3). 

• This act is effective September 1, 2011, unless it receives a vote of 2/3 of all members elected to each house, in which case it is effective immediately (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text