Restrictions

South Carolina began enforcing its 6- week abortion ban^[1]S.C. Code Ann. §§ 44-41-610 et seq. Planned Parenthood S. Atl. v. Wilson, No. 3:18-02078-MGL (D.S.C. Jun. 27, 2022) (lifting preliminary injunction). following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the case Jackson Women’s Health Organization v. Dobbs.^[2]Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., 597 U.S (June 24, 2022), rev’d Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., 945 F.3d 265, 274 (5th Cir. 2019). State law also prohibits abortion at twenty weeks post-fertilization^[3]S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-450(A). and in the third trimester.^[4]Id. § 44-41-20(c). It prohibits D&X procedures.^[5]Id. § 44-41-85. Pregnant people who seek abortion care must undergo a mandatory twenty-four-hour waiting period,^[6]Id.§ 44-41-330(C). be offered biased counseling,^[7]Id. § 44-41-330(A)(2). and be given the offer of viewing the ultrasound images if they have an ultrasound.^[8]Id.§ 44-41-330(A)(1)(a). See also, S. 1, § 3 (adding S.C. Code Ann. § 44-41-630(1), -650); Planned Parenthood S. Atl., 527 F.Supp.3d 801, 814-815 (temporarily enjoining the entire Act). South Carolina also limits public funding for abortion^[9]S.C. CODE ANN. § 1-1-1035. and private insurance coverage of abortion.^[10]Id. § 38-71-238. South Carolina criminalizes people who self-manage their abortions.^[11]Id.§ 44-41-80(b). South Carolina law generally requires that a parent, grandparent, legal guardian,^[12]Id.§ 44-41-31. or judge consent to a minor’s abortion.^[13]Id.

South Carolina’s targeted regulation of abortion providers (TRAP) laws include requirements related to facilities,^[14]S.C. CODE ANN. REGS. Ch. 61-12. admitting privileges agreements,^[15]Id. 61-12.205(C)(2). and reporting.^[16]S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-60; S.C. CODE REGS. 61-12.403; S. 1, § 4 (adding S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-460(A)); id. § 6 (amending S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-60). South Carolina law restricts the provision of abortion care to physicians and explicitly prohibits nurse midwives from the provision of abortion care,^[17]S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-20, S.C. CODE REGS. 61-24(N)(4) and restricts providers from using telemedicine for the provision of abortion care.^[18]S.C. CODE ANN. § 40-47-37(C)(6). Providers who violate South Carolina’s abortion restrictions may face civil and criminal penalties.^[19]See, e.g., S.C. CODE ANN. §§ 44-41-35-85, -350; S. 1, § 3 (adding S.C. CODE ANN. § 44-41-680(D)).

Protections

South Carolina law does not include express constitutional or statutory protections for abortion.

Laws that could be enforced if Roe v. Wade is limited or overturned

South Carolina repealed its pre-Roe bans in 1974.^[20]S.C. CODE ANN. §§ 16-87 through 16-89 (Supp.1971), repealed by 1974 S.C. Acts 2837, 2841, Act No. 1215, § 8.

Conclusion

Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe, South Carolina has begun to enforce its 6-week abortion ban.