U.S. | Thu Jan 5, 2017 | 5:49pm EST

Kentucky moves toward requiring ultrasound before abortion

By Steve Bittenbender | LOUISVILLE, KY.

Kentucky's newly sworn-in Republican House majority on Thursday took the first step toward requiring women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound first, acting swiftly to capitalize on winning a majority for the first time in almost a century.

The 83-12 vote on the bill came on the third day of the state's 2017 General Assembly session, the first in which the Republican Party has led the House since 1921.

The bill requires a physician or qualified technician to perform the ultrasound and position the screen so the woman may view the images. At the same time, the medical staff will be required to describe what the images show, including the size of the fetus and any organs or appendages visible.

Sponsors say the bill will better protect the health of women and provide the materials necessary for women to make an informed choice, while abortion rights advocates contend such laws are designed to scare and shame those seeking an abortion.

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