Anti-abortion advocates protest as news that Indiana Republicans have begun “advancing legislation that would require women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound prior to an abortion.” TPM reports:

The provision is tucked inside Senate Bill 371, introduced by State Sen. Travis Holdman (R), which has passed a committee. Although the legislation doesn’t specifically say transvaginal ultrasound, its criteria would effectively require it, according to the abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America.

John Stutsman, an obstetrician-gynecologist and professor of medicine atIndiana University, confirmed to theIndianapolis Star that a transvaginal probe would be required.

Republicans feel that “such measures are justified to protect ‘another human life.’” This comes as no surprise, as “Indiana’s House, Senate and governor’s mansion are all controlled by Republicans.”

 “As we’ve seen in states across the country, this legislation has one clear motive: to make abortion care as inaccessible as possible. This type of legislation is designed to increase barriers to safe, legal abortion by shaming and harassing women,” said Tarek Rizk, a spokesman for NARAL. “This burdensome forced-ultrasound mandate is only part of an overall bill that is intended to obstruct women’s access to medical-abortion services.”

Similar measures in Virginia and Alabama sparked firestorms last year before they were scrapped. Michigan Republicans briefly considered passing such a bill earlier this year.