(CNSNews.com) - Pro-life groups are praising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate for overriding the governor's veto of a bill that strengthens an Oklahoma law that requires that pregnant women be told where they can obtain a free ultrasound and fetal heart tone services before an abortion.

The bill, SB 1878, requires that at least an hour before an abortion, an abortionist must perform an ultrasound and display the image of the unborn baby so the mother can see it if she chooses.

"By strengthening the ultrasound provision of their law, the Oklahoma legislature has created the strongest, most protective ultrasound law in the nation," said Mary Spaulding Balch, National Right to Life state legislative director.

"They are doing everything possible to ensure that a mother is given the opportunity to see her unborn child in real-time and learn all the facts before making the life and death decision of abortion," she said in a statement. "Simply put, the abortion decision cannot be undone. Women deserve all facts."

"Gov. [Brad] Henry said that it's 'unconscionable' for pregnant victims of rape or incest to be offered this choice. What is truly unconscionable is Governor Henry's abandoning these women to people whose only interest is making money off of their suffering," Janet Morana, co-founder of Silent No More Awareness Campaign (SNMAC).

The bill would also provide protections for health care workers who object to taking part in an abortion.

"We have heard the testimonies of thousands of women who have been victimized and traumatized by abortionists," Georgette Forney, another co-founder of SNMAC, said. "This bill is truly needed to protect a woman's right to informed consent and to protect the rights of health care workers."

Thirteen states, including Oklahoma, have laws making provisions for an abortionist to provide an ultrasound to pregnant women prior to an abortion. Those states are: South Dakota, Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Utah and Wisconsin.

Louisiana requires that for abortions at 20 or more weeks gestation, an ultrasound be performed and offered to the woman for viewing. Two other states - Arizona and Florida - require an ultrasound for all abortions after 12 weeks, but the woman must request to see the image.

In South Carolina, Gov. Mark Sanford is expected to sign a bill that would require abortionists to tell women they have the right to see an ultrasound of their unborn baby one hour before an abortion. The bill was the result of a compromise between South Carolina House and Senate lawmakers, which was reached on Thursday.

"We will continue to work and urge other states to pass similar legislation that seeks to protect mothers and their unborn children," Balch said.

See Earlier Story:
South Carolina Bill Requires Women See Ultrasound Before Abortion (March 21, 2007)

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