NASHVILLE (AP) - The Republican sponsors of a measure setting ultrasound requirements in advance of abortions have decided not to push the bill forward in the Tennessee General Assembly this year.
State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville and Rep. Rick Womick of Rockvale said Wednesday in a news release that they instead will focus on persuading voters to pass a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion. That amendment, on the ballot in 2014, would allow the state to enact laws requiring a 48-hour waiting period for abortions and for all but first-term abortions to be performed in hospitals.
The bill Tracy and Womick won't be pushing would have required abortion providers to perform an ultrasound and show or describe it to a woman seeking an abortion.