For Immediate Release                            Contact: LA Right to Life- Benjamin Clapper
June 16, 2010                                         504-228-4273 | bclapper@prolifelouisiana.org

Baton Rouge- On Wednesday, SB 528, the "Ultrasound Before Abortion Act", passed the Louisiana House of Representatives by a margin of 79-1, with Representative Juan LaFonta (D- New Orleans) being the only legislator to vote against the measure.

Representative Regina Ashford Barrow (D-Baton Rouge) handled SB 528 on the House floor on behalf of the bill's author, Senator Sharon Weston Broome (D-Baton Rouge).  The bill now heads to Governor Jindal for his signature and final approval into law.

The "Ultrasound Before Abortion Act" would require ultrasounds to be performed before all abortions in Louisiana.  In addition, the abortion facility employee, following a detailed script set forth in the legislation, must offer the woman the opportunity to see the ultrasound image, hear a description of the image, and receive a print-out of the ultrasound image.

 Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of the Louisiana Right to Life Federation, commented, "Today, Louisiana's body of life-protecting legislation takes a critical step forward.  Now, all woman considering abortion will have the opportunity to see the ultrasound image of their unborn child and be empowered with the information that can assist them in choosing life-affirming options such as parenting and adoption."

Clapper continued, "Throughout the legislative process, many women who deeply regret their abortion have testified that they would have chosen life if they had been provided with full information about the development of their unborn child.  Once Governor Jindal signs this bill into law, we hope many women will see their unborn child and choose against the devastation caused by abortion."

"We are grateful to Senator Broome, Representative Barrow, the Jindal Administration, and our entire legislature for passing this legislation, and we are honored to help defend both the integrity of women and the lives of unborn children through this legislation," Clapper finished.

 
Louisiana Right to Life Federation (LARTL), established in 1970, works through education and legislation to restore the right to life in Louisiana by opposing abortion, euthanasia, and other life destroying actions.

See AP Coverage of SB 528 Passage