Pro-life supporters in Kentucky were pleased with a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in December that left in place a Kentucky law requiring doctors to perform ultrasounds and show fetal images to patients before abortions.
The American Civil Liberties Union had challenged the law on behalf of Kentucky’s lone remaining abortion clinic in Louisville. The ACLU argued that “display and describe” ultrasound laws violate physicians’ speech rights under the First Amendment.
The federal appeals court in Cincinnati upheld the Kentucky law, but its sister court in Richmond, Va., struck down a similar measure in North Carolina. The law was passed in 2017 and signed by Matt Bevin, a pro-life governor.
In Kentucky, doctors must describe the ultrasound in detail while the pregnant woman listens to the fetal heartbeat. Women can avert their eyes and cover their ears to avoid hearing the description or the fetal heartbeat. Doctors failing to comply face fines and can be referred to the state’s medical licensing board.
Todd Gray, executive director-treasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, called the court’s decision “good news for Kentucky.” Gray said, “We thank the Lord for this decision. We also thank state leaders for protecting the unborn. People who are pro-life want mothers to have as much information as possible so they can make the best decision for their babies.”