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South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday signed a bill into law that would ban nearly all abortions in the state.Abortion-rights advocates say the legislation is the first major abortion restriction passed out of a statehouse in 2021. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
The law would effectively prohibit abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they’re pregnant.
There are narrow exceptions including in cases of rape or incest or if the life of the pregnant person is at risk. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
There are narrow exceptions including in cases of rape or incest or if the life of the pregnant person is at risk. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
Doctors who perform an abortion on a victim of rape or incest will be required to report the allegations to law enforcement, including contact information for the pregnant person. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
Doctors will face a felony charge and possible fines and incarceration if they violate the law. Pregnant people who violate the law do not face charges. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
South Carolina’s ban goes into effect upon signing, though abortion-rights advocates immediately filed a lawsuit to stop its implementation.
It’s unclear how quickly a court will respond to a request in the lawsuit for an injunction. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
It’s unclear how quickly a court will respond to a request in the lawsuit for an injunction. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
“Abortion bans disproportionately hurt those that already have the least access to quality health care, including people with low incomes, people of color, people who are LGBTQ, and those who live in rural areas,” @jennycblack, president and CEO of @ppsouthatlantic, said.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a Republican, released a statement on Thursday acknowledging the lawsuit.
“My office will vigorously defend this law in court because there is nothing more important than protecting life,” he said. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
“My office will vigorously defend this law in court because there is nothing more important than protecting life,” he said. https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
Republican lawmakers who support near-total abortion bans have indicated that they’re advancing these bills to bring such legislation in front of a conservative-leaning Supreme Court. https://www.al.com/news/2020/01/alabama-lawmakers-ask-supreme-court-to-reconsider-roe-v-wade.html
In mid-January, abortion-rights advocates estimated that they’ve tracked more than 100 bills filed in statehouses this year around the country that would curtail abortion access.
One month later, they said that tally is now up to more than 200 bills. https://bit.ly/2OQFJA9
One month later, they said that tally is now up to more than 200 bills. https://bit.ly/2OQFJA9
Upon signing the bill into law, South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said: “This is a great day. It’s a happy day. There’s a lot of happy hearts beating right now all across South Carolina.”
More from @bcrodriguez: https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
More from @bcrodriguez: https://bit.ly/37mTxJ5
