Add Art 25 Title 1-C §§2516 - 2516-c, Pub Health L
Ensures that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3694
SPONSOR: DiPietro TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to ensuring that
women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to
review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an
abortion
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill would require abortion providers to perform an
obstetric ultrasound on women looking to have an abortion. The abortion
provider would provide simultaneous explanation of what is being shown
and display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may see
them. The abortion provider will also need to provide a complete medical
description of the ultrasound images.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Establishes the name of the Act
Section 2 establishes informed consent
Section 3 defines no penalty for a woman or doctor who declines the
ultrasound
Section 4 establishes date for law to become in effect
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
JUSTIFICATION:
As difficult as an abortion decision is, the information provided by an
ultrasound and consultation with a doctor about the ultrasound can help
the mother make a fully informed decision. Women have the right to know
all the available medical information before giving legally effective
informed consent. Every person should have complete information about a
medical procedure before they consent. 21 states regulate the provision
of ultrasound by abortion providers. 2 states (Louisiana and Texas),
mandate that an abortion provider per,form an ultrasound on each woman
seeking an abortion and requires the provider to show and describe the
image. 6 states (Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, Virgi-
nia) mandate that an abortion provider perform an ultrasound on each
woman seeking an abortion and require the provider to offer woman the
opportunity to view the image. Nothing in this legislation stops a woman
seeking an abortion to look away from the monitor of her ultrasound.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A6818 of 2023-2024 referred to health A05089 of 2019-2020
A5374 of 2017-18
A3717 of 2015-16
A6566 of 2013-14
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect immediately
