Wis. may require ultrasounds before abortion

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that would require physicians to provide or arrange an ultrasound for women seeking abortions.

The legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Mary Lazich would require physicians to perform or arrange for an ultrasound, except in a medical emergency or cases where the pregnancy is caused by sexual assault or incest. Physicians would have to show the ultrasound image to the woman and provide a thorough description of the fetus' features.

It also would require that physicians performing abortions have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where the abortion would be performed.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says a companion bill could be also taken up Thursday in the Assembly, along with two other abortion-related bills.

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