Gov. Mark Sanford said he’s likely to sign a controversial ultrasound abortion bill that strengthens informed consent procedures in a clinic, but stops short of forcing a woman to view an image of her fetus.

If Sanford signs the bill, which makes viewing the ultrasound image optional, S.C. will become the 16th state with such a law.

The General Assembly — after more than a year of on-again, off-again and sometimes strident negotiations — reached agreement on the bill Thursday. Lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue walked away from the compromise declaring a bit of victory.

“It gives (women) information that perhaps they wouldn’t have had,” said Chester Sen. Linda Short, who opposed the House version, which would have required a woman to look at an ultrasound.

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