Index
South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat Act
Summary
South Carolina law bans almost all abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which usually occurs around six weeks into a pregnancy.
Rights & Rules
- 01.A physician must perform an ultrasound to check for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion.
- 02.If a heartbeat is detected, the abortion is illegal, with very narrow exceptions.
- 03.Exceptions exist for medical emergencies (where the mother's life is in serious danger) or if the fetus has a fatal anomaly.
- 04.There is an exception for rape or incest, but ONLY up to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and the doctor is required by law to report the allegation to the local county sheriff.
Penalties
- 01.Doctors who violate the law face felony charges, up to two years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and the revocation of their medical license.
Verified Citations
South Carolina Code of Laws Section 44-41-680
Source"Except as provided in Section 44-41-690, no person shall perform, induce, or attempt to perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman before a physician determines in accordance with Section 44-41-670 whether the human fetus the pregnant woman is carrying has a detectable fetal heartbeat."