Last week Florida House and Senate passed some very important legislation concerning FL abortions. The amendment requires women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion. Doctors or nurses must also describe the development of the fetus according to what is seen in the ultrasound. Women can choose to not see the ultrasound but will need to sign off in that instance.

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

The Florida House approved a contentious anti-abortion measure today requiring pregnant women pay for an ultrasound exam before receiving an abortion, sending it to Gov. Charlie Crist for his signature or veto.

The abortion restriction, unveiled in the closing days of the 2010 legislative session, opened raw and emotional divisions among legislators as they prepared to leave Tallahassee for the summer. The debate was so heated and, at times, graphic, House Republican leaders ordered teenage pages off the House floor and cleared the public galleries of children. Two Democrats wept as they spoke against the ultrasound mandate.

Largely along party lines, the Republican-controlled House approved the abortion bill 76-44 Friday. The Senate had voted for the measure a day earlier, 23-16.

Opponents called the ultrasound mandate a government intrusion on a decision that should be left to women. “Stand down if you don’thave ovaries,” said Rep. Janet Long, D-Tampa.

Republicans characterized the bill as an attempt to give pregnant women more information before choosing to have an abortion. Several Republicans decried abortion and the 1973 Supreme Court decision that gave constitutional protections to the procedure, Roe v. Wade.

Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who had an unplanned pregnancy as a senior in high school, said women should see the heartbeat, arms and legs before choosing to have an abortion.

Here is an a short email from Rep. Charles Van Zant, who has been a strong proponent in the FL House for the unborn; and has been a great contact person during this session: