An ultrasound is a noninvasive test using high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels, or to otherwise interact with tissue in the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, ultrasounds fall into two categories, diagnostic and therapeutic. A diagnostic ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic technique used to produce an image inside the body. Most diagnostic ultrasound probes are placed on the skin. However, to optimize image quality, probes may be placed inside the body via the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, or blood vessels. An ultrasound is sometimes used during surgery by placing a sterile probe into the area being operated on. Diagnostic ultrasounds can be further subdivided into anatomical and functional ultrasounds. Anatomical ultrasound produces images of internal organs or other structures. Functional ultrasound combines information such as the movement and velocity of tissue or blood, softness or hardness of tissue, and other physical characteristics, with anatomical images to create information maps.

Therapeutic ultrasounds also use sound waves above the range of human hearing but do not produce images. Its purpose is to interact with tissues in the body such that they are either modified or destroyed. Among the modifications possible are moving or pushing tissue, heating tissue, dissolving blood clots, or delivering drugs to specific locations in the body.

An ultrasound or a similar medical imaging device or procedure may only be provided by a licensed health care provider acting within their scope of practice, or a person acting under the supervision of a licensed health care provider where all actions performed are within the supervising health care provider's scope of practice.

A violation of this act constitutes practice without a license and the appropriate discipling authority must investigate any complaints pursuant to the Uniform Disciplinary Act. 

This act does not apply to people using an ultrasound as part of raising or caring for livestock and other animals or to emergency medical personnel acting within the course of their employment.

PRO: Ultrasounds can be an invasive procedure and should not be provided by unlicensed ultrasound techs who have proven themselves to be unsafe. There is no recourse when someone is violated by an unlicensed ultrasound tech due to the lack of licensure.

CON: This bill would restrict crisis pregnancy centers from providing ultrasound services. Most people who see their child on ultrasound choose not to abort. Portable ultrasounds allow paramedics to quickly assess a patient and they help save lives. This bill could restrict the use of this tool. This bill creates an unnecessary and politically motivated restriction.