California ultrasound law implements Cruise control

The California State Assembly has passed a bill that would restrict sales of ultrasound machines to medical professionals. The move follows public safety concerns raised by actor Tom Cruise's purchase of ultrasound equipment to perform exams on his pregnant fiancee in November 2005.

Citing fears that fans and other individuals may follow in Cruise's footsteps, Assemblyman Ted Lieu introduced legislation that would prohibit the sale or lease of ultrasound machines in California to anyone other than physicians, surgeons, or licensed medical facilities. The Assembly passed the bill in May. AB-2360 would make selling ultrasound machines to nonmedical professionals a misdemeanor punishable with jail time and a $1000 fine.

The American College of Radiology lauded the California Assembly for passing the bill and urged the state Senate to include a prohibition of sale to entrepreneurs who market keepsake ultrasound.