Louisiana recently passed The Ultrasound Before Abortion Act, which requires ultrasounds before abortions are performed but doesn’t require that the woman view the ultrasound images. The Bioethics Defense Fund helped draft the law. For more information about the law, see http://bdfbuzz.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/ultrasound-bills-touted-in-wash-post-column/ On August 6, 2010, the law was challenged in federal court. For reaction to the lawsuit, see http://www.lifenews.com/state5330.html
UPDATE: The ultrasound law will go into effect after the parties filed a joint stipulation with the federal district court that makes it clear that the the woman seeking an abortion is not required to view the ultrasound pictures. Here’s a link to a CNBC story from August 19, 2010 that reports on this latest development. http://www.cnbc.com/id/38776848 For the reaction of the Bioethics Defense Fund to the settlement, see http://bdfbuzz.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/court-victory-for-la-ultrasound-before-abortion-act/
Richard M.