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Committee approves bill requiring ultrasound image be displayed before abortion; proponents, opponents clash in public comment
Summary
The committee passed a bill requiring that ultrasound images be displayed (not merely offered) before an abortion; advocates for the measure said it would reduce abortions, while medical and rights advocates opposed it as unnecessary government intrusion and shaming of pregnant people.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee passed a bill requiring that an ultrasound image be displayed prior to an abortion after hearing testimony from proponents and opponents.
Rose Mims, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, presented the bill and said it would amend a 2005 law so that an ultrasound image would be on display for a woman seeking an abortion, though she could avert her eyes if she preferred. "It would also give her critical information about the development of the unborn child," Mims said, and she cited data from crisis pregnancy centers that she said show "85 percent of the mothers who see the ultrasound image often choose life."
Public commenters opposing the bill characterized it as an unnecessary and coercive regulation. Ally Taylor, cofounder and president of Arkansas Abortion Support Network, said the measure "is just another attempt by the state to enact onerous regulations on a safe legal medical procedure" and that Arkansas already requires an ultrasound and the option to view it. Karen Musick, speaking for herself but affiliated with the same network, urged the committee to oppose what she called an effort to "shame" women. Chloe Klein, a premedical student, said the time and money spent on restrictions would be better used for sex education and access to affordable health care and contraception.
After public comment and sponsor closing, the committee moved and seconded passage and the chair announced the bill passed by voice vote.
Next steps: The bill will move forward in the legislative process. The committee record contains both the sponsor's claim about an 85% behavioral effect after viewing ultrasounds and multiple public comments opposing the requirement as harmful or unnecessary.
