Search & Filter

South Carolina lawmakers are considering S.1095, a bill that would impose felony penalties for performing abortions and misdemeanor charges for women receiving abortions starting at a diagnosable pregnancy, while also banning certain abortion medications. Additionally, the state is advancing S.32 to provide tax credits for donations to pregnancy resource centers and H.4611 to grant paid parental leave for stillbirths to state employees, including teachers.

South Carolina House Representatives approved the third reading of H. 4760, a bill that would classify abortion-inducing drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV substances, imposing strict regulations and felony penalties for unauthorized use. The bill, which passed with an 81-31 vote, now awaits approval from the state Senate and Governor Henry McMaster before becoming law.

South Carolina's Senate Bill 323, the Unborn Child Protection Act, which seeks stricter abortion limits and harsher penalties without exceptions for rape or incest, will have a hearing with no public testimony allowed due to previous overcrowding. The bill has drawn criticism from the ACLU for its impact on healthcare and support from Equal Protection South Carolina, which calls for amendments to protect all pre-born children, including those affected by IVF practices.

South Carolina Senator Richard Cash is proposing SB 323, a bill that would redefine contraceptives, restrict abortion access by protecting pregnancies as soon as clinically diagnosable, and introduce potential criminal charges including homicide for abortion-related actions. The bill also raises concerns about aiding and abetting abortion through information sharing and could impact birth control access, while the senator is open to considering amendments to add funding for resources supporting women and families in South Carolina.