summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 44-140-10 So As 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 The Practice Of Telemedicine, 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; By Amending Section 59-32-10, Relating To Definitions, So As 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; By Amending Section 59-32-10, Relating To Definitions, So As 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 comprehensively reforms reproductive health rights in South Carolina, establishing a legal framework for abortion, reproductive healthcare, and related services. It allows women to have an abortion prior to fetal viability (presumed to be at 24 weeks) at their sole discretion, and after viability only under specific circumstances such as preserving the woman's health, cases of rape or incest, or when the fetus has a fatal diagnosis. The bill permits telemedicine prescriptions for abortion-related medications, requires health insurance policies to cover abortions and reproductive services, and mandates that health insurers provide coverage for assistive reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization. For minors seeking abortions, the bill establishes a detailed consent process, including a judicial bypass option if parental consent cannot be obtained. Additionally, the legislation emphasizes reproductive health education that goes beyond abstinence-only approaches, promotes access to contraceptives, and expands Medicaid eligibility to ensure high-quality prenatal and postnatal care for low-income women. The bill also includes protections for women's medical privacy, prohibits providing misleading information about pregnancies, and repeals previous abortion-related legislation in the state.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs (on 01/14/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=27&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/27_20241211.htm |
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