Kentucky Ultrasound Bill (SB 5)

SB 5 would have required a physician to perform an ultrasound before the patient can give informed consent to an abortion. The physician would have been required to provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound was depicting.  The bill states that the ultrasound images would have to be visible to the patient and a medical description of the images must be provided.  The patient would not have been required to look at the images.

The physician would have been permitted perform an abortion without these requirements if there is a medical emergency, in which case the law would have required them to inform the patient and conclude there is a medical emergency in the medical report of the patient.

SB 5 establishes a fine of up to $100,000 for the first offense and up to $250,000 for an additional offense of a physician who violates the requirements.  The bill provides that all violations need to be reported to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.

STATUS

Passed the Senate 31-4 on February 8, 2013.  Sent to the House where it died in the Health and Welfare Committee.

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