This bill requires abortion providers to perform an ultrasound before any abortion procedure and explain what the images show. Providers must display the ultrasound and describe the embryo or fetus including size, cardiac activity, and visible organs. Women may decline to view the images without penalty. Medical emergencies are exempt.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill requires abortion providers to perform an ultrasound before any abortion procedure and explain what the images show. Providers must display the ultrasound and describe the embryo or fetus including size, cardiac activity, and visible organs. Women may decline to view the images without penalty. Medical emergencies are exempt.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Ultrasound Informed Consent Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires abortion providers to conduct an ultrasound before performing an abortion.</p><p>Specifically, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, the abortion provider must</p><ul><li>perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman;</li><li>provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting;</li><li>display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them; and</li><li>provide a complete medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable.</li></ul><p>Providers are subject to civil actions and penalties for violations.</p><p>The bill's ultrasound requirements do not apply in cases where a physical disorder, illness, or injury endangers a woman's life. A woman is also not required to view the ultrasound images; nor may she or the provider be penalized if she declines to do so.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Mandates pre-abortion ultrasound by providers
Requires explanation of ultrasound images to patients
Providers must describe embryo or fetus dimensions and cardiac activity
Women may decline to view images without penalty
Exempts cases where pregnancy endangers life
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Women seeking abortions would receive ultrasound examinations before the procedure. Providers would face civil penalties for non-compliance. The requirement does not apply in medical emergencies, and women cannot be penalized for choosing not to view the images.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Health
Related Subjects
Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Health information and medical records
Medical ethics
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
48, 119th Congress (2025). "Ultrasound Informed Consent Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-48