Rhode Island Forced Ultrasound Bill (H 5648)

H 5648 would amend current legislation regarding informed consent to require physicians to perform an obstetric ultrasound on a pregnant woman prior to a woman giving informing consent to have an abortion performed.

H 5648 would require physicians to:

• Perform an obstetric ultrasound;
• Offer an explanation of the results;
• Display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them;
• Provide a medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus and the presence of external members and internal organs; and
• Provide an opportunity for the woman to refuse to consent to the abortion.

Any physician who knowingly violates this provision would face a civil penalty up to $100,000 for the first offense and up to $250,000 for any subsequent offense.

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