The Virginia House of Delegates passed an amended version of Senate bill 484 yesterday afternoon, which would require pregnant women to receive an ultrasound at least 24 hours before terminating a pregnancy.
The original version of SB 484, passed by the Senate earlier this month, required the ultrasound to be conducted transvaginally. The amended version still requires a woman to obtain an ultrasound before the abortion, but now allows the ultrasound to be conducted abdominally.
Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a press release yesterday he was convinced, after consulting with other legislators and physicians, this procedure would be medically sufficient for the majority of cases.
"Having looked at the current proposal, I believe there is no need to direct by statute that further invasive ultrasound procedures be done," McDonnell said. "Mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state."
McDonnell said the bill would more accurately gauge gestation period, which is necessary to determine whether the procedure can be legally performed.
"Determining gestational age is essential for legal reasons, to know the trimester of the pregnancy in order to comply with the law, and for medical reasons as well," McDonnell said in the press release.
Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran said yesterday in a press release that the legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 65-32, is "unnecessary."
"The course of action that Gov. McDonnell has advocated forces an unnecessary medical procedure on Virginia women whether their doctors think they need it or not," Moran said.
-compiled by Krista Pedersen
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