Idaho House backs abortion ultrasound bill

BOISE – Idaho is one step closer to joining a small group of states that require abortion providers to give women information on accessing ultrasound services.

The Idaho House voted 56-13 Tuesday to advance legislation that would require the state’s Department of Health and Welfare to compile a list of providers that offer free ultrasounds for women seeking abortions. The list would be part of the informed consent brochures abortion providers are required to distribute.

Currently, 13 other states require some sort of verbal counseling or written materials to include information on accessing an ultrasound, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research center that supports abortion rights. Separately, 25 states impose regulations on how abortion providers give ultrasounds.

Only the House’s Democratic members opposed the measure.