Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Virginia's governor has signed into law a bill requiring women to undergo abdominal ultrasound exams before having abortions, weeks after lawmakers dropped contentious language requiring that the exams be medically invasive.

The earlier proposal calling for vaginally invasive ultrasounds prompted a national outcry and was a target for lampooning on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

The national uproar prompted state lawmakers backed by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell to remove the requirement for a medically invasive exam.

McDonnell's signature Wednesday means the law will take effect in July for abortion providers across Virginia.

In its amended form, the measure had continued to spark protests by angry women's rights groups and others. The protests led to about 30 arrests at Virginia's Capitol complex on Saturday.