A bill that would require women to receive an abdominal ultrasound before undergoing an abortion is now heading to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk.
The House of Delegates gave the final OK to the measure Thursday on 61-35 vote, signing off on a Senate amendment that exempts rape victims from the examination.
The bill is a pared-down version of what previously passed both chambers and McDonnell supported earlier this year. Public outrage and mockery prompted McDonnell to amend the law so women would receive the jelly-on-the-belly procedure, but not the more invasive transvaginal variety.
That did little to appease opponents, who said the changes actually make the bill worse. Abdominal ultrasounds are ineffective in determining the gestational age of a fetus in the early stages of a pregnancy — the point when most abortions take place — meaning doctors are forced to perform a costly procedure before an abortion that won’t yield any results, opponents charged.
But supporters of the measure say that it still provides women all the information needed to make a difficult decision.
“(An abortion) is a procedure that ultimately will take a life with it,” said Del. Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg. “(The ultrasound) will not only supply her but the doctors with the age of that unborn child. It’s also going to enable the doctor to perform a safer abortion.”
Instead, it will deter women from undergoing a “constitutionally protected” procedure, said Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria.
“This is not about information,” Herring said. “This is about shaming women and humiliating women.”
