Posted Saturday, January 7, 2017 10:28 am

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Women would be required to undergo ultrasounds before getting abortions under the first bill to receive final approval by the Kentucky General Assembly, which kicked off its 2017 session earlier this week.

The measure, a top priority for the Republican-controlled Legislature, cleared its final legislative hurdle on Saturday with a 32-5 vote in the Senate. It now goes to Republican Gov. Matt Bevin to be signed into law.

Hours later, a second bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy received final passage and also was sent to the governor for his signature.

Under the ultrasound legislation, physicians would be required to display the images so women could see them, though they would have the option to avert their eyes. Physicians would face a $100,000 fine for a first offense and a $250,000 fine for subsequent offenses.

The legislation that would ban late-term abortions received its final vote in the House, where it passed 79-15. The measure provides an exception in cases in which the mother’s life is in danger.

Physicians who violate the measure could have their medical licenses revoked. The sponsor, Republican Sen. Brandon Smith of Hazard, said the measure also could put an end to harvesting organs from aborted babies.

House Speaker Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, said he believes the abortion bills can stand up to Supreme Court scrutiny.

The abortion bills, along with several aimed at improving the economy, passed in Hoover's first week as House speaker.

“I feel great," he told reporters. "I feel good for our members, I feel good for the people of Kentucky. We made a commitment after November 8th that we were going to do business in a different way. I don’t think anyone can question that we’ve done that."

Gov. Matt Bevin said he will sign the bills and have them in effect by Monday.

Both abortion-related measures were heralded by evangelicals.

“Kentucky Baptists have been working, hoping, and praying for this day for a very long time,” said Paul Chitwood, executive director of the 750,000-member Kentucky Baptist Convention, the state’s largest religious organization.

Chitwood offered his thanks to House Speaker Jeff Hoover, Senate President Robert Stivers and Gov. Matt Bevin for their leadership in getting the bills passed, and to every lawmaker who voted for the measures and influenced others to support them.

Chitwood said the late-term abortion bill is critically needed in Kentucky.

“The first responsibility of government is to provide security for its citizens, and today that promise is being fulfilled for babies who, in most cases, could survive outside of the womb,” he said.

Chitwood said a close friend of his is the adoptive father of a 3-year-old whose biological mother, a Texas resident, opted not to have an abortion after undergoing an ultrasound, which was required in that state.

“While every Kentucky mother considering an abortion may not make the same decision, she will at least now have the same opportunity, and babies will have a better chance at life,” he said. “At a minimum, a required ultrasound will help ensure a mother understands the abortion procedure, its risks and consequences.”

The legislation fueled lengthy and passionate debate from both sides.

“Give women the latitude they deserve, the respect they deserve, and let them make that decision,” said Democratic state Rep. Jeffery Donohue of Louisville who opposed the measure.

State Rep. Robert Benvenuti, R-Lexington, cited videos made public last year showing the harvesting of organs from babies aborted about 20 weeks of pregnancy.

“Children should be nurtured, not harvested,” he said.