Rep. Mulligan Bill to Regulate Ultrasound Use on Pregnant Women Advances through House

April 6, 2005

A bill aimed at stopping the practice of performing unsafe ultrasounds by unlicensed persons on pregnant women for “keepsake videos” Wednesday cleared the Illinois House of Representatives, according to the bill’s sponsor State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines).

“When performed by a medical professional, ultrasound imaging has numerous legitimate uses when caring for a pregnant women and her unborn child,” said Mulligan. “However, there are now facilities that are using ultrasound technology to produce high-resolution images of babies developing in the womb as a keepsake for the parents. Problems arise because these ultrasounds are being performed without the referral of a medical professional by individuals without the appropriate medical training.”

House Bill 2492 requires a person that issues an order or referral for an ultrasound on pregnant women to be licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed as an advanced practice nurse, or licensed as a certified nurse midwife. It also provides that an order or referral for the administration of an ultrasound shall not be issued for entertainment purposes.

“This has become a real concern because in some cases women are being exposed to the ultrasound for an unsafe period of time,” said Mulligan. “We should be using ultrasound to ensure the health of the pregnant woman and her unborn child – not placing their health at risk solely for entertainment purposes.”

Mulligan concluded by saying that violators will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. The bill now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

For more information, please contact Representative Mulligan at (847) 297-6533.