Why Not Illinois?

 

Wisconsin Right to Life Thrilled with Enactment of Sonya’s Law Requiring Ultrasound Prior to Abortion

 

By Barbara L. Lyons, Wisconsin Right to Life Executive Director

Wisconsin State Rep. Pat Strachota and State Senator Mary Lazich

The top legislative priority of Wisconsin Right to Life this year was enactment of a law to require ultrasound prior to an abortion. Authored by Senator Mary Lazich and Rep. Pat Strachota, we are thrilled to report that the state legislature has passed this bill which will be signed into law by Governor Scott Walker.
Known as Sonya’s Law, the new law requires that a woman seeking an abortion have an ultrasound 24 hours prior to the abortion being performed. She will be able to view her unborn child and see her baby’s heartbeat on ultrasound. A verbal description of what she sees on the screen will be given to her. She has the ability to turn away from the screen if she chooses. She also can choose the type of ultrasound after all options are explained to her.

Another provision in this important law requires that the person performing the abortion have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion facility. This important provision, which protects women’s safety and health, caused Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to announce it would have to close its abortion clinic in Appleton.

Going into this debate, it was well known that proponents of abortion hate ultrasounds and ultrasound laws. That came through vividly in debate at public hearings and in both houses of the legislature. Pro‐abortion legislators were fixated on female body parts and distortions of the impact of the new law. Fortunately, reason prevailed and the true nature of the law came through.
Sonya’s Law will certainly minimize the experiences of post‐abortion women, heard over and over, who were told their babies were blobs of tissue. As stated by Senator Lazich, this law is a true victory for full information for women.

Wisconsin Right to Life is extremely grateful to Sonya who came forward to tell her story. Sonya, the mother of two young children, considered abortion until she saw a bus sign advertising free ultrasounds. After seeing her baby’s heartbeat on ultrasound, Sonya fell in love with her baby and knew she had to give birth. Sonya is a true hero for women like her and the babies that will be saved. Four other women provided heartwarming stories of how ultrasound convinced them to have their babies.

Source: NRLC News

Also assisting with passage of Sonya’s Law were several physicians, Pregnancy Help Centers, sonographers and public relations volunteers. Their invaluable assistance ensured accurate and complete information and excellent messaging. It is a good time for Wisconsin women and their babies!