ND proposals require ultrasound before abortion, notice that abortions can't be forced

Legislative committees have endorsed two proposals that would provide new notice requirements for women seeking abortions.

No one spoke against either bill at the committee meetings Tuesday.

The Senate Human Services Committee voted unanimously to recommend a measure that would require clinics to give a woman a chance to look at an ultrasound image of her fetus before she has an abortion.

The House Human Services Committee endorsed a separate bill that requires abortion clinics to post a sign saying women cannot be forced to have an abortion. The sign would be posted in a counseling room.

Tammi Kromenaker, director of the state's only abortion clinic, the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo, had no comment on the bills. She did not attend either hearing.

The ultrasound bill would require abortion providers to offer a woman a look at the image of her fetus at least 24 hours before she gets an abortion. The bill would not require her to look at the image.

Several people who testified in favor of the proposal, including the bill's sponsor, Rep. Bette Grande, R-Fargo, handed out high-tech pictures.

"I thought these were so cute," Grande said.

Supporters said a woman should be offered as much information as possible before having an abortion. Opponents have said the bill is not needed because the Fargo clinic already gives women the option to see an ultrasound.

"If it's being done, it should not be a problem to have it," Grande said.

Sen. Jim Pomeroy, D-Fargo, a retired pastor, said after the committee meeting that his support for the bill is lukewarm.

"For that person to have a right to look at it, I think it's fine," Pomeroy said. "If it ever gets to the point where they are mandated to see it, I don't think I would support that."

Supporters of the sign bill say the poster is needed for women who feel coerced to have abortions by boyfriends, spouses, parents and employers.

"Visual notification telling a woman about her right not be coerced may be what encourages her to speak up and get the help she needs," said Christopher Dodson, director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference.

The sign would read: "Notice: No one can force you to have an abortion. It is against the law for a spouse, a boyfriend, a parent, a friend, a medical care provider, or any other person to in any way force you to have an abortion."

Sen. Terry Wanzek, R-Jamestown, a sponsor of the sign bill, said he believes everyone wants to reduce the number of abortions.

"This bill does not hinder, obstruct, deny or prohibit anyone from having an abortion," Wanzek said. "It simply is an effort to hopefully cause one to think again, or to embolden someone who's being intimidated or pressured to have an abortion, (to) choose not to abort their child."

Also Tuesday, the Senate Human Services Committee voted to endorse a resolution urging the state's congressional delegation to oppose an effort to overrule many state laws on abortion.

The federal measure, known as the Freedom of Choice Act, has not yet been introduced. Grande said it's important for lawmakers to put their feelings on record because the state Legislature meets every other year. Pomeroy was the only committee member to vote against the idea.

"I don't think our resolution will affect the delegation at all," he said afterward. "I think we are very good at passing anti-abortion bills. But then, as soon as the child is born, we aren't concerned about it."

The sign bill is HB2265. The ultrasound bill is HB1371.