http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10606856 Published Friday April 10, 2009
Nebraska Legislature: Bill to require offer of ultrasound advances
BY PAUL HAMMEL
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Abortion opponents won a partial victory Thursday when state lawmakers advanced a bill requiring doctors to offer to show a woman an ultrasound image of her fetus before an abortion.
Sponsors agreed to amend the bill to make it clear that women would not be forced to view the ultrasounds. The change means the Legislature appears likely to pass an ultrasound law similar to those in about 15 other states.
The bill doesn't go as far as an Oklahoma law, which requires doctors to describe to the woman what is being seen on the ultrasound.
The Oklahoma law is being challenged in court as an invasion of privacy. The Nebraska bill would require a doctor to provide a description of the ultrasound only if asked.
Proponents say ultrasound laws give women more information before making the decision to end a pregnancy, and that could lead to fewer abortions. Opponents call such laws cruel and traumatic, especially for those seeking abortions due to rape or incest.
"If you provide more information about the reality of that life, perhaps a mother will choose life for that child," said State Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln, who introduced the ultrasound measure.
The Judiciary Committee voted 6-0 to advance Legislative Bill 675 for debate.
FULL story at link.