Senator Mike Fair Comments on “Ultrasound Bill” Agreement
Joint Legislative Committee Reaches Agreement on Informed Consent Law Amendments
Columbia, SC – During a press conference today Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville) made the following comments concerning the agreement reached by a Joint Legislative Conference Committee on what has become known as the “Ultrasound Bill” or Informed Consent Law (H.3355).
“According to crisis pregnancy reports 70% of the women who are considering an abortion and view an ultrasound prior to the procedure decide to carry the baby to term. This provides winning circumstances for everyone.”
The agreement reached today amends the Informed Consent Law to include a sixty-minute waiting period after an ultrasound is performed before an abortion can take place. The agreement also states that women must be informed of their right to view the ultrasound. A woman has the right to view the ultrasound while the procedure is being performed as well as any time during the newly established sixty-minute waiting period. The new amendments take effect upon approval by the Governor.
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