–Legislation requiring abortion clinics to provide a woman with an ultrasound before terminating her pregnancy passed the House today.

House Bill 3144, by Rep. Lisa Billy, expands on pro-life legislation passed in 2006 that required abortion doctors to tell a woman she had a right to a free ultrasound at an off-site location. This legislation would require the ultrasound to be available at the clinic where the abortion would be performed.

This bill is needed to give women as much information as possible to ensure she does not later regret her decision, said Billy.

"There is nothing more important we can do here in the Legislature than protect the lives of innocent children," said Billy, R-Purcell. "This bill will further prepare every woman who is about to make a life-altering decision. When a woman has all the information in her hands, she will walk out of that clinic confident in her choice."

The bill passed the House with a vote of 88-11 and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

The Oklahoma State Senate passed key pro-life legislation that provides protection to pro-life healthcare providers.

Senate Bill 1878 by Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, creates the Freedom of Conscience Act, which protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of human life.

Protection under this legislation is provided to employees or prospective employees who have objections, based on their religious conviction or moral code, to such scenarios as participating in or performing an abortion, stem cell research, or euthanasia.

“The bipartisan effort made to allow this legislation to pass is to be applauded,” said Senator Lamb. “Pro-life healthcare providers deserve protection for their moral or religious convictions, and Senate Bill 1878 does just that.”

Senate Bill 1878 will now move to the House for consideration.

Labels: Abortion, Healthcare, Rep. Lisa Billy, Senator Todd Lamb

Posted at 3/12/2008 08:13:00 AM