SC Supreme Court upholds revised abortion heartbeat bill, blocks 2021 version.
The South Carolina Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Ban
The South Carolina Supreme Court has made a significant decision regarding the state’s abortion laws. In a 4-1 ruling, the court upheld a revised version of a law that bans abortions if a heartbeat can be detected. This comes after the court had previously objected to an earlier version of the legislation.
The law in question, known as the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, was passed by the Republican-majority state legislature this year. It prohibits abortion procedures when the heartbeat of the developing baby can be detected. The court’s decision comes after it had blocked a previous version of the law in 2021, siding with Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers who challenged it.
Changes in the Court’s Composition
The Supreme Court’s latest decision is notable due to a change in its composition. Justice Kaye Hearn, who had ruled against the 2021 bill, retired on December 31, 2022, having reached the court’s mandatory retirement age. Justice David Garrison Hill was chosen to replace her and ruled in favor of the 2023 version of the abortion heartbeat bill.
Justice John Cannon Few, who had previously ruled against the 2021 version, also ruled in favor of the 2023 version. In his original decision, Justice Few argued that there is no constitutional right to an abortion in South Carolina’s state constitution but expressed concerns about the specific crafting of the 2021 law.
However, in the recent ruling, Justice Few stated that he believed the South Carolina General Assembly had made sufficient revisions to the legislation between the 2021 and 2023 versions of the abortion heartbeat bill.
South Carolina Governor Welcomes the Ruling
Republican South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster celebrated the court’s decision to uphold the new abortion law. In a statement, he expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it marks a historic moment for the state and reaffirms South Carolina’s position as one of the most pro-life states in America.
Governor McMaster has been in office since 2017 and voted in favor of both the 2021 and 2023 versions of the abortion heartbeat bill.
‘Not the End of Our Fight’: Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood, a prominent opponent of the South Carolina abortion legislation, expressed disappointment with the court’s decision. They argue that the law will force healthcare providers to turn away patients who need an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many people even know they are pregnant.
Related Stories
- Michigan Gov. Whitmer Promotes Abortion Access in Effort to Rebuild State Population – 8/23/2023
- Indiana Supreme Court Upholds State’s Near-Total Abortion Ban – 8/22/2023
South Carolina is not the only state where new abortion legislation has faced legal challenges. Other Republican-controlled states, such as North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, and Texas, have also seen their abortion restrictions tested in court.
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