Bill > H4637

This bill significantly restricts abortion-related activities in South Carolina by establishing two new legal articles: one addressing abortion-inducing drugs and another prohibiting abortion assistance. The first article comprehensively defines key terms like "abortion," "unborn child," and "medical emergency," and prohibits manufacturing, distributing, mailing, transporting, delivering, or prescribing abortion-inducing drugs, with narrow exceptions such as treating medical emergencies or ectopic pregnancies. The bill allows for private civil actions and qui tam (whistleblower) lawsuits against individuals or entities involved in abortion-related activities, with potential damages up to $100,000 per violation and the ability to sue up to 30 years after the cause of action. The second article makes it unlawful for individuals or abortion funds to pay for, reimburse, or support abortions for South Carolina residents, even if performed out of state, with violations carrying criminal penalties including up to five years imprisonment for paying for an abortion and up to three years for supporting an abortion fund. The bill also includes provisions to prevent legal challenges, asserting South Carolina law's primacy in abortion-related cases and providing sovereign immunity for state entities. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that the pregnant woman cannot be prosecuted under these provisions.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4637&session=126&summary=B