DJ Says...

Sen. Dan Patrick (R-7) scored a major victory (and kept a campaign promise) by securing Senate passage of SB-182, an informed consent bill on abortions. Initially, the bill would have required an ultrasound on every woman seeking an abortion and giving her the option to view it. To secure passage, Sen. Patrick amended the bill such that ultrasounds will be offered to the woman, not required.

(D) provides the pregnant woman with an election form that states as follows:

ULTRASOUND ELECTION

TEXAS LAW REQUIRES YOU BE OFFERED AN ULTRASOUND PRIOR TO RECEIVING AN ABORTION.

I ELECT TO ___RECEIVE ___NOT RECEIVE AN ULTRASOUND.
I ELECT TO ___SEE ____NOT SEE THE ULTRASOUND.
I ELECT TO ___HEAR ___ NOT HEAR THE ULTRASOUND.
I ELECT TO ___RECEIVE ___ NOT RECEIVE A VERBAL EXPLANATION OF THE ULTRASOUND RESULTS.
I AM MAKING THIS ELECTION OF MY OWN FREE WILL AND WITHOUT COERCION.

____________________________________________
SIGNATURE DATE

The hope, of course, is that women will view the ultrasounds and change their mind. I'm not sure that it will or it won't achieve that goal but regardless, it is a victory for Sen. Patrick.