Governor Rick Perry signed held a formal signing ceremony today for the state’s so-called “sonogram bill. ” It requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a sonogram before terminating their pregnancy. Doctors will have to make an image of the fetus and the sound of its heartbeat available.
Houston Republican, Senator Dan Patrick, says if this new procedure changes the mind of 20% of women who go in for an abortion, it would mean 10,000 - 15,000 additional births in Texas each year.
The law goes into effect September 1st.
The governor was joined at the signing ceremony by supporters of the law. Opponents argue the law is invasive, and doesn’t allow a woman to choose not to receive the information from the sonogram.
Video courtesy the Texas Tribune:
