Nebraska abortion clinics could be required to show an image of the fetus to women having an abortion, if a new bill sponsored by Sen. Tony Fulton becomes law.

"If we can provide information to a mother who is in a desperate situation - information about what she's about to choose; information about the reality inside her womb - then this is going to reduce the number of abortions," Fulton said.

To reduce the number of abortions, Bobbie Kierstead, the vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs said senators should instead create legislation to better help women prevent unwanted pregnancies.

"This is a political move to put lawmakers, government, politicians in between women, their doctors and the medical care they receive," Kierstead said.

Planned Parenthood also said the bill is unnecessary because it already performs pre-procedure ultrasounds in its clinics. The organization also said it gives patients a chance to view the image.

"Women and their doctors should be making decisions about complicated, personal decisions about pregnancy," Kierstead said. "This isn't something politicians should be interfering in."

Sixteen states already have ultrasound laws requiring abortion clinics to offer women the opportunity to view the ultrasounds.

Fulton's bill has been referred to the judiciary committee, but no hearing date is set.

"This bill is really about those situations where a mother is already contemplating abortion and at the end of the day this is about information and using the technology available to us," Fulton said.

Now state senators must decide if that technology has a role in decisions regarding abortion.