A new law going into effect in Indiana on Jan. 1, 2021, will require that pregnant women seeking an abortion have an ultrasound performed at least 18 hours prior to undergoing the procedure, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced on Twitter. “For women considering abortions, ultrasounds are an important part of informed-consent counseling. Anyone interested in protecting women’s health, including their mental health, should support giving them as much information as possible to aid their decision-making,” Hill wrote on Dec. 31. “This new law serves to empower women with knowledge,” he added. The law was passed in 2016 by the Republican-dominated Legislature and signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence (R) but just months later in July, Planned Parenthood sued Indiana, saying the law placed an undue burden on the patient and would prevent some women from getting abortions. Hill has argued it gives women time to reflect on a momentous life decision. According to the Indy Star, the woman can decline, …