KRS 311.727: Requirement for performance and explanation of obstetric ultrasound and

ascultation of fetal heartbeat prior to abortion -- Exception for medical

emergency or necessity.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Ascultate" means to examine by listening for sounds made by internal organs

of the fetus, specifically for a fetal heartbeat, utilizing an ultrasound

transducer or a fetal heart rate monitor;

(b) "Obstetric ultrasound" or "ultrasound" means the use of ultrasonic waves for

diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, specifically to monitor a developing fetus;

and

(c) "Qualified technician" means a medical imaging technologist as defined in

KRS 311B.020 who is certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American

Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography o r a nurse midwife or advance

practice nurse practitioner in obstetrics with certification in obstetrical

ultrasonography.

(2) Prior to a woman giving informed consent to having any part of an abortion

performed, the physician who is to perform the abortion or a qualified technician to

whom the responsibility has been delegated by the physician shall:

(a) Perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman;

(b) Provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting, which

shall include the presence and location of the unborn child within the uterus

and the number of unborn children depicted and also, if the ultrasound image

indicates that fetal demise has occurred, inform the woman of that fact;

(c) Display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view the

images;

(d) Ascultate the fetal heartbeat of the unborn child so that the pregnant woman

may hear the heartbeat if the heartbeat is audible;

(e) Provide a medical description of the ultrasound images, which shall include

the dimensions of the embryo or fetus and the presence of external members

and internal organs, if present and viewable; and

(f) Retain in the woman's medical record a signed certification from the pregnant

woman that she has been presented with the information r equired to be

provided under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection and has viewed the

ultrasound images, listened to the heartbeat if the heartbeat is audible, or

declined to do so. The signed certification shall be on a form prescribed by the

cabinet.

(3) When the ultrasound images and heartbeat sounds are provided to and reviewed

with the pregnant woman, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the

pregnant woman from averting her eyes from the ultrasound images or requesting

the volume o f the heartbeat be reduced or turned off if the heartbeat is audible.

Neither the physician, the qualified technician, nor the pregnant woman shall be

subject to any penalty if the pregnant woman refuses to look at the displayed

ultrasound images or to listen to the heartbeat if the heartbeat is audible.

(4) The requirements of this section shall be in addition to any requirement contained in

KRS 311.725 or any other section of KRS 311.710 to 311.820.

(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply in th e case of a medical emergency or

medical necessity. If a medical emergency or medical necessity compels the

performance or inducement of an abortion, the physician who will perform or

induce the abortion, prior to its performance or inducement if possible, shall inform

the pregnant woman of the medical indications supporting the physician's judgment

that an immediate abortion is necessary. Any physician who performs or induces an

abortion without the prior satisfaction of the requirements of this section be cause of

a medical emergency or medical necessity shall enter the reasons for the conclusion

that a medical emergency or medical necessity exists in the medical record of the

pregnant woman.