House Bill 648
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Ultrasound Informed Consent Act
Introduced
Introduced in House on Feb 1, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
648
Congress
117
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary
Ultrasound Informed Consent Act
This bill requires abortion providers to conduct an ultrasound before performing an abortion.
Specifically, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, the abortion provider must
- perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman;
- provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting;
- display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them; and
- provide a complete medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable.
Providers are subject to civil actions and penalties for violations.
The bill's ultrasound requirements do not apply in cases where a physical disorder, illness, or injury caused by the pregnancy endangers a woman's life. A woman is also not required to view the ultrasound images; nor may she or the provider be penalized if she declines to do so.
February 1, 2021
02/02/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
02/01/2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
02/01/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:47:00 PM