Kentucky's Senate overwhelmingly passes a bill that would require women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound first. It's something that's been proposed but failed in the past.
Here's what Senate Bill 38 does: for women seeking an abortion, the bill requires doctors to show them an ultrasound if they want to see it, explain what the ultrasound shows, and answer any questions they have. It also requires women to meet face to face with their doctor 24 hours before the procedure.
"This is the baby's head, and these are the little hands. You can almost even see the little nose there," said Jenny Hutchinson, with "40 Days of Life."
Pro-life advocate Jenny Hutchinson, says this ultrasound at 13 weeks changed a woman's mind about having an abortion. Hutchinson is in favor of Senate bill 38, which would allow every woman considering abortion to see a picture like this one.
"Giving the woman the opportunity to see the unborn child within would have a great impact on the choice that she made. And I think that's what the other side is afraid of," said Hutchinson.
"We definitely want all women to be educated about all of their decisions. Whether that's abortion, childbearing or adoption. The real question is, is the government the best place to do that. Or is it her doctor?" said Derek Selznick, the Reproductive Freedom Project Director for the ACLU, KY.
That's the other side - the one that says government shouldn't interfere in a woman's life.
We asked people how they felt about the bill.
"If people want to get an abortion they should be able to get an abortion. I mean when is this government gonna stop taking people's liberties away? I just don't understand it," said Dave Williams.
"I think that's a personal choice. And I really, I can't come down on one side or the other. I think that's a woman's choice if she wants to have an ultrasound and go ahead or not go ahead that's her own choice," said Barbara Lewis.
"No, I don't think it's something they should get involved in. I think it depends on the circumstances," said Tammy.
And the bill's sponsor, Republican Elizabeth Tori, says the bill doesn't cost anything and offers women more rights.
"It's just been a policy of abortion clinics to turn the screen around when they have the procedure."
"This is a health and safety measure. would you not want to know what's going on in your body if you had the technology right there in front of you. and you were denied that privilege."
If a doctor doesn't comply with the bill, there's a $100K fine for the first offense. And a $250K fine every time after that. In the past, this bill hasn't made it past the Senate. But Senator Tori says she's confident the House will pass it this time.
