For immediate release:                                                                                      For more information:
April 3, 2007                                                                                                   Derrick Jones, 202.626.8825
                                                                                                                         mediarelations@nrlc.org

IDAHO CONTINUES NATIONAL ULTRASOUND TREND:
Governor Otter Signs Law Providing For Ultrasound Before Abortion

Last week, Governor Butch Otter made Idaho the ninth state to enact legislation giving a woman seeking an abortion the opportunity to view the ultrasound of her unborn child.  The Idaho law continues a growing national trend in which states are seeking to provide women with all possible information before they make the life and death decision of abortion.

“Governor Otter’s signature on this bill protects both women and their unborn children,” said Mary Spaulding Balch, J.D., National Right to Life State Legislative Director.  “Women deserve all of the facts about abortion, including its effects on their developing unborn children.”

Eight states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin) have similar laws that provide women the opportunity to review ultrasound footage before having an abortion.  Last month, both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed ultrasound legislation.

“If women are truly given all the facts about the effects of abortion and the development of their unborn child, they are far less likely to have an abortion,” said Balch.  “Ultrasound technology, which provides a remarkable window to the womb, is a wonderful tool that allows women to see their unborn children in real time.”

The full text of the legislation is available at: http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/H0248.html

National Right to Life has spokespersons available for interviews on the national trend in state ultrasound laws. To arrange an interview, call NRLC Media Relations at (202) 626-8825.

The National Right to Life Committee is the nation’s largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide.  National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.