Restrictions on Ultrasound Equipment Approved

The Assembly on Thursday voted 55-7 to pass a bill (AB 2360) that would allow ultrasound machines to be sold, leased or distributed only to licensed health practitioners, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports (AP/Contra Costa Times, 5/5). The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration (Los Angeles Times, 5/5).

Some Republican legislators questioned whether the bill, by Assembly member Ted Lieu (D-El Segundo), would apply to private firms that sell ultrasound images of fetuses to pregnant women.

Lieu said the legislation would not affect such firms as long as the operator of the ultrasound machine was licensed under a specific section of the state Business and Professions Code (AP/Contra Costa Times, 5/5).

The California Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and legislators who are medical doctors support the bill, saying improper use of the machines possibly could harm fetuses (Marshall, New York Times, 5/5).