The idea behind the bill is to make sure that the women are aware of the gestational age and viability of the fetus before they are permitted to abort it. It passed, but they dropped the requirement for the transvaginal ultrasound, instead requiring that the women submit to the procedure to the exterior of their abdomens. It would be difficult to pass a law saying a woman must submit to imaging that requires invasion of a body cavity, even if it is the best way to visualize the fetus. The Republicans said that a woman has "a right to know" about the fetus. I wonder, does a woman have a right to remain ignorant?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/va-senate-approves-contentious-ultrasound-bill/2012/02/27/gIQAvhiVgR_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboNP