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Sometimes very important breakthroughs are the result of cumulative victories. So it's significant that when South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds signed SB88 into law last week, it meant that 12 states grasp the importance of requiring abortion facilities to offer pregnant women the chance to view an ultrasound of their unborn baby prior to taking an unborn child's life.

Last year Mississippi, Idaho, and Georgia joined Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin with similar legislation on the books. In addition, for abortions at twenty or more weeks gestation, Louisiana requires that an ultrasound be performed and that the woman be offered the opportunity to view the image of her unborn child.

As is customary pro-abortionists in South Dakota voiced support for informed consent in the abstract but criticized SB88 which provides women with concrete information they need to have.

Minutes after the bill passed the state Assembly and before it was even on Gov. Rounds' desk, the local Planned Parenthood official issued a statement blasting SB88. "We are in favor of women receiving all of the information they need to make private health care decisions," said Kate Looby, South Dakota State Director for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, but "We're opposed to politicians….practicing medicine."

Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., NRLC State Legislative Director, points out that SB88 "reflects a national trend that recognizes the capacity of ultrasound technology to provide mothers with the opportunity to see the development of their unborn child in real-time." South Dakotans, she added, "understand that mothers need as much information as possible before making the life and death decision of abortion for their unborn children."

The new law has reporting requirements to make sure the abortion industry complies.

Abortionists must document "the woman's response to the [ultrasound] offer," including "the date and time of the offer and the woman's signature attesting to her informed decision."

Moreover, an annual report to the state health department on the number of times a woman was shown or declined to see the ultrasound--and what percentage of women in each category ultimately had an abortion--is also required.

"The abortion decision is one which cannot be undone and women deserve to have all the facts," Balch added. "We continue to urge other states to join in this trend and protect women and their unborn children."

The full text of the South Dakota legislation can be read at: http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2008/Bills/SB88ENR.htm

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