WJHG, April 24, 2012
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Louisiana Senate agreed Tuesday to change the sonogram requirements for a woman seeking an abortion in the state, including asking her if she would like to hear the fetal heartbeat.
Women in Louisiana already are required to get an ultrasound before they can have an abortion. At the time, they are asked whether they want to view the sonogram and get a photo of the image.
Under the bill by Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge, the ultrasound would be required 24 hours before the abortion, instead of two hours before the procedure.
Also, the doctor would be required to ask the woman whether she wants to hear any sounds from the fetal heart monitor. Senate Bill 708 would allow women to opt out of hearing the fetal heartbeat by signing a form saying they don’t want to listen.
Ultrasounds wouldn’t be required for victims of rape or incest seeking an abortion.
The Senate sent the proposal to the House with a 34-4 vote.
War on Women 
Posted on April 24, 2012