Oklahoma Judge Rules Pre-Abortion Sonogram Law Unconstitutional
The sonogram law was enacted in April 2010 after Oklahoma legislators overrode then-Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of the measure. The law mandated that doctors and medical technicians perform a sonogram on any woman seeking an abortion, place the image in front of her and give a detailed description of the image. Health professionals who failed to comply would be subject to suspension or revocation of their medical licenses, according to the law.
Larry Burns, DO, and attorneys for the Center for Reproductive Rights, an abortion rights group, sued the state in 2010, claiming that the law was unconstitutional. A judge granted a preliminary injunction against the law in May 2010. In issuing his March 28 opinion, Dixon permanently blocked the law from going into effect.
The Center for Reproductive Rights said the decision protects women as well as the principles of medical ethics.
“The court has resoundingly affirmed what should not be a matter of controversy at all: that women have both a fundamental right to make their own choices about their reproductive health and that government has no place in their decisions,” said Nancy Northup, the center’s president and CEO. “Today’s decision adds to the growing momentum of a nationwide backlash against the overreaching of lawmakers hostile to women, their doctors and their rights.”
At this article’s deadline, messages left with Dr. Burns’ office had not been returned.