Senate Passes Ultrasound Abortion Bill

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...The Kentucky Senate voted 32-4 Tuesday passing a bill that would require an ultrasound be performed prior to an abortion and to provide a criminal penalty for violation of the law. The bill, sponsored by several senators including the committee chairman, Erlanger Republican Jack Westwood, is a proposal that has been introduced unsuccessfully before. Previously it passed the Republican-led Senate, but not the Democratic-led House. SB 103 is the second piece of legislation aimed at reducing abortions to pass the Senate this session. SB 102, which would require women seeking abortions to have face-to-face counseling 24 hours in advance from a health care professional, passed the Senate February 8th and has been sent to the House, which has taken no action.