Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, said the original version of his pre-abortion ultrasound bill specifically mentioned the use of a wand inserted into the patient's vagina, the method by which very early-term ultrasounds before six to eight weeks of gestation, must be conducted in order to show a clear picture of the fetus, but he removed that from the bill. "It didn't require it, but in my opinion it was confusing ... so we took it out," Winder said.

The bill, as introduced this morning, now says, "The physician who is to perform the abortion or a qualified technician shall perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant patient, using whichever method the physician and patient agree is best under the circumstances." Winder said if the woman and doctor opt for the non-invasive procedure and it provides no clear picture, "Then there's no harm done."

Winder said while he's not aware of any idaho state law requiring any other medical procedure be performed without the patient's consent, "I think it's an appropriate thing in this case to do, because you're trying to determine the developmental stage of the fetus. ... We feel that the state does have a right to look after that unborn child."