COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that could enact some of the most stringent abortion laws in the nation. This proposed legislation includes provisions that would impose severe penalties on women who obtain abortions, potentially sending them to prison for decades.
The bill, which is awaiting a second hearing, proposes a total ban on abortions unless the woman's life is in danger, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Current state law prohibits abortions after approximately six weeks, a point at which many women are unaware of their pregnancy. The new measure would extend further than any other state law in the U.S.
If passed, women who seek an abortion and those who assist them could face up to 30 years in prison. Additionally, the bill appears to include measures that would prohibit certain forms of contraception, such as IUDs, and could greatly restrict access to in-vitro fertilization.
Health care professionals like OB-GYN Natalie Gregory have voiced opposition to the bill, raising concerns that it could criminalize necessary discussions around reproductive health. It constitutes an unconstitutional reach that threatens the very fabric of healthcare in our state, she stated during a public hearing.
The legislative proposal has even divided anti-abortion groups in South Carolina. While some believe women seeking abortions are victims who should not be punished, others argue that the act of abortion itself is tantamount to murder and should incur severe penalties.
As public opinion continues to evolve, some experts suggest that the current political climate may allow for more extreme measures to gain traction, emphasizing the growing divide among groups that once stood united against abortion.
The fate of this proposed legislation in the South Carolina Senate is uncertain, with leaders indicating no guarantees on whether the bill will progress beyond subcommittee discussions.
