Correction
This story on abortion legislation headed to the governor’s desk incorrectly described a provision that will require minors seeking abortions to sign consent forms.

It would mandate such examinations before a woman could have an abortion.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A controversial abortion bill that includes a provision requiring a woman to undergo an ultrasound examination before she can terminate her pregnancy is on its way to Gov. Brad Hen ry's desk.

Henry's spokesman Paul Sund said Henry would withhold judgment until he had reviewed the measure.

The Senate voted 38-10 on Wednesday for Senate Bill 1878, which was amended in the House to include several abortion measures. The bill's authors are Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, and Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa.

SB 1878 combines various pieces of abortion legislation proposed this session.

One provision would require women who seek an abortion to undergo an ultrasound within one hour of the procedure.

Dr. Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City physician who is the chairwoman of the Oklahoma Section of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the ultrasound legislation was of great concern to her because of its invasive nature early in pregnancy.

"The patient has no ability to opt out," she said.

Lamb noted that the legislation does not require a woman to view the ultrasound images.

It does require that the images be displayed so the woman may see them. It also re quires the examiner to give a medical description of the images, to include dimensions of the embryo or fetus and the presence of cardiac activity.

The bill also would require minors who seek abortions to provide written parental consent. Lamb said that is needed to ensure that minors aren't coerced into ending pregnancy.

The measure also would allow health-care providers to refuse to participate in abortions and would ban wrongful-life lawsuits, which claim that a baby would have been better off aborted.

Lamb said no such suits have been filed in Oklahoma, but such claims have been made in at least one state.

The measure also would require documentation when the chemical abortion pill RU- 486 is prescribed and used to ensure that it is administered properly, Lamb said. Doctors who prescribe RU-486 would have to report adverse effects to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. The information, except the patient's name or other personal identifying information, would be public.

Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, voted for the measure but said she was concerned that it would require victims of rape and incest to view an ultrasound.

Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, said that lawmakers are asked repeatedly to vote on the gut-wrenching issue when opponents of abortion simply want it banned.

"We had an abortion bill last year," he said. "I don't imagine this is new stuff. I imagine it was around then."

Last year, Henry vetoed a bill that prohibited the use of state funds or facilities for abortions but chose to let a subsequent version that provided exceptions for rape and incest victims become law without his signature.

Tony J. Lauinger, the chairman of Oklahomans For Life, said SB 1878 would "help to protect pregnant women, pro-life health-care professionals, persons with disabilities and unborn children. We are grateful for the strong support from both the House and the Senate."

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com

Vote details

The state Senate voted 38-10 Wednesday for Senate Bill 1878, which included a number of abortion provisions.

Democrats voting for the measure (14): Randy Bass, Sean Burrage, Kenneth Corn, Mary Easley, Earl Garrison, Jay Paul Gumm, Tom Ivester, Charlie Laster, Debbe Leftwich, Susan Paddack, Nancy Riley, John Sparks, Joe Sweeden and Charles Wyrick.

Republicans voting for the measure (24): Cliff Aldridge, Patrick Anderson, Don Barrington, Brian Bingman, Cliff Branan, Randy Brogdon, Bill Brown, Harry Coates, Glenn Coffee, Brian Crain, John Ford, Mike Johnson, Clark Jolley, Ron Justice, Todd Lamb, Owen Laughlin, Mike Mazzei, David Myers, Jonathan Nichols, Jim Reynolds, Mike Schulz, Anthony Sykes, Kathleen Wilcoxson and James Williamson.

Democrats voting against the measure (10): Tom Adelson, Roger Ballenger, Johnnie Crutchfield, Judy Eason McIntyre, Constance Johnson, Richard Lerblance, Mike Morgan, Jeff Rabon, Andrew Rice and Jim Wilson.

Republicans voting against the measure (0).