{"id":376194,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/south-carolina-law\/south-carolina-abortion-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-22T12:23:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T17:23:55","slug":"south-carolina-abortion-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/south-carolina-law\/south-carolina-abortion-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina Abortion Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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South Carolina Abortion Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Summary<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In South Carolina, abortion is legal until the alleged detection of a fetal heartbeat at six weeks. Exceptions are possible during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for rape, incest, medical emergencies, or fatal fetal anomalies.<\/p>\r\n

Introduction<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade<\/i><\/a> in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization<\/i><\/a>. This decision returned the power to regulate or prohibit abortion to the states. On January 5, 2023, the South Carolina State Supreme Court held that abortion is protected, subject to some limits, under the South Carolina State Constitution.<\/p>\r\n

On May 25, 2023, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster<\/a> signed a fetal heartbeat bill, which allows abortion through the first six weeks of pregnancy. Abortion can be carried out during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape or incest, medical emergencies, and in cases of fetal anomaly.<\/p>\r\n

On August 23, 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed that the law infringed on a woman\u2019s right to privacy<\/a>. It still upheld the six-week ban.<\/p>\r\n

South Carolina Abortion Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

South Carolina\u2019s abortion ban becomes absolute at twenty weeks. Third-trimester abortions are permitted when the mother’s life is in danger. Other severe abortion restrictions<\/a> enforced in South Carolina include:<\/p>\r\n