South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a invoice on Thursday limiting abortion after six weeks of being pregnant.
The Fetal Heartbeat and Safety from Abortion Act, S. 474, protects unborn infants by limiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, with exceptions for rape or incest throughout the first twelve weeks of being pregnant, medical emergencies, or deadly fetal anomalies. Medical doctors within the state who don’t adjust to the regulation might face felony fees punishable by two years in jail and a $10,000 effective.
McMaster stated the regulation went into impact instantly.
With my signature, the Fetal Heartbeat and Safety from Abortion Act is now regulation and can start saving the lives of unborn youngsters instantly. We stand able to defend this laws in opposition to any challenges as a result of there is no such thing as a extra vital proper than the appropriate to life.
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) May 25, 2023
“With my signature, the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act is now law and will begin saving the lives of unborn children immediately,” McMaster stated in an announcement. “This is a great day for life in South Carolina, but the fight is not over. We stand ready to defend this legislation against any challenges and are confident we will succeed. The right to life must be preserved, and we will do everything we can to protect it.”
Earlier than the invoice’s passage, abortions have been authorized by means of 22 weeks of being pregnant within the state. McMaster had signed an identical invoice into regulation in 2021; nevertheless, that regulation was challenged and completely enjoined by the South Carolina Supreme Courtroom earlier this 12 months. The sponsors of the present laws crafted the measure within the hopes of withstanding a authorized problem and satisfying the state Supreme Courtroom justices.
UPDATE: A listening to has been scheduled for tomorrow morning on our request to dam this abortion ban.
As we speak abortion is banned after about 6 weeks of being pregnant. Tomorrow, we may have our day in court docket. https://t.co/hQFs3SxW9u
— PP South Atlantic SC (@PPSATSC) May 25, 2023
Following the invoice’s passage, Deliberate Parenthood South Atlantic introduced that it filed a lawsuit, together with Greenville Girls’s Clinic and two physicians, asking a state court docket to dam the regulation. The abortion-giant affiliate stated in a tweet {that a} listening to has been scheduled for Friday morning.
“State lawmakers have once again trampled on our right to make private health care decisions, ignoring warnings from health care providers and precedent set by the state’s highest court just a few months ago,” stated Jenny Black, president and CEO of Deliberate Parenthood South Atlantic.
“The decision of if, when, and how to have a child is deeply personal, and politicians making that decision for anyone else is government overreach of the highest order. We will always fight for our patients’ ability to make their own decisions about their bodies and access the health care they need. We urge the court to take swift action to block this dangerous ban on abortion,” Black continued.
In stark distinction, Susan B. Anthony Professional-Life America issued an announcement celebrating the brand new “life-saving law.”
“Twenty-five states now have laws to protect life between conception and 12 weeks. Not even a full year after Dobbs, the pro-life movement can celebrate that we are at the halfway point in the states thanks to the incredible momentum we have seen in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nebraska in just the last week and a half,” stated Susan B. Anthony Professional-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser.
“Today, we congratulate South Carolina on becoming the 23rd state to protect babies with a heartbeat. The way Gov. McMaster and pro-life legislators persisted to get a heartbeat protection across the finish line this year is a reflection of their compassion, respect for the people’s will, and adherence to the science,” Dannenfelser continued. “Every year, thousands more irreplaceable South Carolinians will be allowed to live and discover that unique purpose in this world which only they can fulfill.”
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