Virginia governor signs bill to require abdominal ultrasound before abortion despite protests [View all]

By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, March 7

RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday signed into law a controversial bill that requires women to have abdominal ultrasound exams before undergoing abortions.

The Republican governor’s signature means the mandate takes effect in July for abortion providers across Virginia.

The bill not only sparked protests the past three weeks by angry women’s rights groups and others that led to 30 arrests at the Capitol Saturday, it subjected Virginia to scorn by columnists and political talk shows and ridicule from television comedians.

It was part of a wave of conservative legislation that had perennially failed in the General Assembly until Republicans gained control of both the House and Senate in the 2011 elections.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-governor-signs-bill-to-require-abdominal-ultrasound-before-abortion-despite-protests/2012/03/07/gIQAe1wRxR_story.html