summary
Introduced
01/10/2023
01/10/2023
In Committee
01/10/2023
01/10/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/09/2024
05/09/2024
Introduced Session
125th General Assembly
Bill Summary
A bill to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws BY ADDING CHAPTER 140 TO TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION PRIOR TO THE VIABILITY OF HER EMBRYO OR FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION AFTER THE VIABILITY OF HER FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH A MINOR MAY HAVE AN ABORTION, TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CONTRACEPTIVES SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN ARE ENTITLED TO QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE, AND TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE; by amending Section 40-47-37, relating to Practice of telemedicine requirements, so as to PERMIT DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS VIA TELEMEDICINE; by adding Section 38-71-48 so as to PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES THAT PROVIDE PREGNANCY AND CHILD BIRTH COVERAGE MUST ALSO OFFER COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS AND RELATED SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES INTENDED TO PERMANENTLY PREVENT PREGNANCY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TUBAL LIGATION, HYSTERECTOMY, AND VASECTOMY; by adding Section 38-71-49 so as to PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES MUST OFFER COVERAGE FOR ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-10(2) OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO PROVIDE THAT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION MEANS AGE APPROPRIATE, UNBIASED, COMPREHENSIVE, AND MEDICALLY ACCURATE INSTRUCTION, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CAN BE TAUGHT BUT NOT TAUGHT AS THE PRIMARY OR ONLY WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; TO AMEND 59-32-10(4) OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE FROM SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE CAN BE ENCOURAGED AS A WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; and TO REPEAL CHAPTER 41, TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, RELATING TO ABORTION.
AI Summary
This bill would amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to establish a new chapter on "Reproductive Health Rights". The key provisions of the bill are:
- It would allow a woman to have an abortion prior to the viability of the fetus, with the decision being solely that of the pregnant woman in consultation with her physician. After viability, abortions would be permitted in limited circumstances such as to preserve the life or health of the woman, in cases of rape or incest, or if the fetus has a diagnosis incompatible with life.
- It would permit physicians practicing telemedicine to prescribe abortion-inducing drugs and require health insurance policies to cover abortions and related services as well as assistive reproductive technologies.
- It would expand Medicaid eligibility to provide high-quality prenatal and postnatal healthcare to more women, allow women to choose their own prenatal and postpartum healthcare providers, and make certain changes to the state's reproductive health education curriculum.
- It would also provide legal protections for women experiencing miscarriages or spontaneous abortions and establish a judicial bypass process for minors seeking an abortion without parental consent.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Scrivener's error corrected (on 02/08/2023)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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