Jan. 28 (UPI) — Lawmakers in the South Carolina state Senate on Thursday passed a bill to ban most abortions, sending it to the Republican-controlled House were it is expected to pass but its fate is in doubt as it will likely face lengthy litigation if it becomes law.
The state’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, said he intends to sign the controversial South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act “immediately” into effect if it lands on his desk.
“We’re closer than we’ve ever been to passing into law the most comprehensive pro-life legislation our state has ever seen,” McMaster tweeted after the bill passed the state’s Senate. “It’s off to the House of Representatives now, where we have great leaders who I know will fight for life.”
The bill prohibits a doctor under threat of felony charges and a two-year prison sentence from performing an abortion after the heartbeat of a fetus has been detected, which generally occurs between six and eight weeks after conception and before most people know they are pregnant.
PHOTO CREDIT: allenran 917
DONATE TO PIERCED HEARTS BLOG BELOW
