South Carolina’s abortion ban contains a few exceptions, such as saving the patient’s life or fatal fetal anomalies. Doctors who violate the law can face prison terms.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law Thursday a bill that would ban abortion starting at six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.
The law, which enters into force immediately, provides for some exceptions. According to CNN, to save the patient’s life or in case of fatal fetal abnormalities, the procedure may be allowed. There are also limited exceptions up to 12 weeks for victims of rape and incest, with one detail: it is mandatory for the doctor to inform the local authorities of this.
Any physician who violates this law will have their license revoked by the State Board of Medical Examiners (State Board of Medical Examiners, in Portuguese). Additionally, you could face criminal charges, be fined, or spend time in jail.
Henry McMaster assured that the law “will begin immediately to save the lives of unborn children.” “This is a great day for life in South Carolina, but the fight is not over yet. We stand ready to defend this legislation against any challenge and we are confident that we will succeed.”
The right to life must be preserved and we will do everything possible to protect it,” added the governor of the US state, whose name is now added to a list of states led by Republicans that have implemented extensive restrictions on the right to abortion.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and Greenville Women’s Clinic (which perform the medical procedure) and two plaintiff physicians filed suit against the law. Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said lawmakers “ignored warnings from health care providers and the precedent set by the state supreme court just a few months ago.” With these statements, she alluded to the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke a similar ban that had been approved in South Carolina in 2021. After Henry McMaster’s enactment, access to abortion is prohibited in almost all southern US states.
Florida. Republicans Introduce Bill to Ban Abortion After 6 Weeks of Pregnancy
Source: Observadora
