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House Votes To Require 1st Trimester Ultrasound

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By NICOLA M. WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 3, 2008

Updated: 04/03/2008 12:13 am

TALLAHASSEE - A woman seeking an abortion would be required to get an ultrasound - no matter how early in her pregnancy - under a bill passed Wednesday by the House.

House members spent much of the afternoon on back-and-forth debate about what exactly it would mean.

For backers, it would protect a woman's health and allow her to make good decisions about whether to terminate her pregnancy. To opponents, asking a woman to view a photo of her about-to-be aborted fetus, another provision of the bill, would make her second-guess her decision - and erode her right to choose.

Ultimately, the House did pass the bill, which was sponsored by Tampa Republican Trey Traviesa, by a 70-45 margin.

Traviesa's bill requires abortion doctors to perform ultrasounds during the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy - ultrasounds only are required now during second- and third-trimester abortions.

Under the bill, a woman would have to sign a form saying she declined to view the ultrasound. Also under the measure, young girls would also be given a court-appointed guardian to help guide them through the abortion procedure if they didn't have their parents' consent.

"I appeal to you on behalf of women," Traviesa said on the floor, arguing that his bill would allow a woman to make "an entirely informed decision."

Foes of the bill, mostly Democrats, argued that Traviesa merely was providing barriers to abortion by requiring intermediate steps before women go ahead with abortions.

"This is not about protecting the rights of women; this is about eroding the rights of women," said Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand. "I am so disappointed that we would spend this kind of time on something that is really none of our business."

Although women would not be required to look at the ultrasound photos, House Minority Leader Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, argued that asking them to make that decision during what already is considered a traumatic procedure would hinder their ability to choose freely.

"It's to tell her, 'Are you sure you want to do that? Look at this form? Are you sure? Sign this,'" he said.

Traviesa tried to get an abortion bill passed last year, but it died in the Senate. Rep. Susan Bucher, D-West Palm Beach, played up the point that the Senate version of the bill hasn't made it to a committee hearing.

"If you want to know the truth, it doesn't stand a chance," she said. "It hasn't moved in the Senate but it's been good theater."

The measure passed anyway.

"This bill is about health. It speaks to both physical health and psychological health of the woman," said Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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