A state House committee is set to debate legislation that would require doctors to perform sonograms on women considering abortion.
The hearing Wednesday was for a bill filed by Republican Rep. Sid Miller that says a woman must be given a sonogram at least 24 hours before an abortion. The doctor must explain the features of the fetus and let the woman hear the fetal heartbeat.
Proponents of the legislation say women need information before an abortion. Opponents say the government shouldn't be involved in a doctor-patient relationship.
A similar bill authored by Republican Sen. Dan Patrick passed the Senate last week.
Both bills provide an exception for a woman whose life is in danger. Patrick's bill exempts victims of rape and incest, or when a fetus has fatal abnormalities.
