FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A proposal to require physicians to
perform ultrasounds and present the images to pregnant women
seeking abortions is scheduled for a vote in the House Judiciary
Committee on Friday.

Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, said
Thursday she scheduled the vote even though she opposes the
measure, which has been stalled since Feb. 12.

"The bill appears to have one agenda, and that is to make it
more difficult for women seeking a safe and legal abortion," Stein
said Thursday.

State Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, said women who
don't want to see the ultrasound images don't have to look.

"If they see what they're dealing with, then many of them will
make a choice to not kill the baby," he said. "And that relieves
them of a decision that could haunt them the rest of their lives."

Abortion-rights advocates have denounced the bill, which
contains provisions to require doctors to consult with women 24
hours in advance of abortions and to adopt a federal ban on the
late-term procedures that opponents refer to as partial-birth
abortions.