South Carolina Lawmakers Consider Bill to Ban Nearly All Abortions From Conception
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Lawmakers in South Carolina are weighing a proposal that could become the strictest abortion law in the United States, sparking hours of testimony and protests at the State House this week.
The “Unborn Child Protection Act”
The measure, called the Unborn Child Protection Act, was debated by a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday. If passed, it would ban all abortions from the moment of conception, with the only exception being to save the mother’s life.
Currently, South Carolina law bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal diagnoses, and life-threatening risks to the mother. This new proposal would eliminate all of those exceptions.
Strong Reactions From Both Sides
Opponents of the bill include doctors, who warn it would force them to violate established medical standards of care, and women’s health advocates, who argue the proposal could threaten access to birth control and in vitro fertilization.
Supporters largely framed their arguments around religious beliefs and the protection of life from conception.
“This is about standing up for the unborn who cannot speak for themselves,” one supporter said at the rally.
Potential Criminal Penalties
South Carolina already imposes criminal penalties on doctors who perform abortions outside the law. Under the new bill, penalties could become even harsher: anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion — or undergoes one themselves — could face up to 30 years in prison.
Even some pro-life and conservative Christian groups voiced concerns, saying they oppose the bill because of its severity, while other anti-abortion organizations argued the measure still “doesn’t go far enough.”
No Vote Yet
After more than eight hours of testimony, senators on the subcommittee chose not to take a vote Wednesday, saying the bill requires further refinement before moving forward.
The debate comes as South Carolina remains at the center of the national battle over reproductive rights, with lawmakers facing pressure from both advocates and opponents to define the state’s next move.
Do you believe South Carolina should pass the nation’s strictest abortion ban, or should lawmakers reconsider the impacts? Share your perspective and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
