Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
More states considering Wisconsin’s ultrasound law
By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Jul 23 2008, 11:59 AM
If information is power, then pregnant women should see an ultrasound before they ultimately decide on having an abortion.
Under Wisconsin law, “at least 24 hours before the abortion is to be performed or induced, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or any other qualified physician” is required to, in person, inform the woman “that fetal ultrasound imaging and auscultation of fetal heart tone services are available that enable a pregnant woman to view the image or hear the heartbeat of her unborn child. In so informing the woman and describing these services, the physician shall advise the woman as to how she may obtain these services if she desires to do so.”
Wisconsin statute 253.10(3)(c)1(g)
Wisconsin is one of 15 states to require medical officials to give pregnant women the option of seeing an ultrasound before an abortion.
This year, Oklahoma became the first state in the nation making it mandatory that a woman see an ultrasound at least one hour before an abortion is scheduled.
State legislatures around the country took up 30 ultrasound-related bills in 17 states. Similar legislation is expected to be reviewed next year.
The author of Oklahoma’s new ultrasound law, state Senator Todd Lamb (R), told Stateline.org the purpose of the law is to “ensure 100 percent informed consent. We’re short-changing these moms if they’re not receiving an ultrasound so they can see how their child is being formed.”
Here’s the story from stateline.org.
