South Carolina Conservatives Push for Stricter Abortion Laws Amid Growing Tensions

With the 2025 legislative session swiftly approaching, South Carolina's abortion regulations are likely to face severe scrutiny and revision. The state has already enacted a six-week abortion ban, but Republicans, emboldened by recent elections, are pressing for even stricter restrictions, potentially criminalizing abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

Rep. Jay Kilmartin, R-Lexington, expressed his wish for a law that provides "equal protection for the unborn," indicating support for more stringent bills, such as those that prohibit abortion at conception. This has resulted in the drafting of the Human Life Protection Bill, which would prohibit all abortions except in medical situations, as well as the reintroduction of the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Bill, which would allow for the prosecution of women who had abortions.

Though recent elections have given Republicans a supermajority, boosting the probability of such laws passing, they face opposition from some members of the party. Rep. Josiah Magnuson, R-Spartanburg, voiced concern that the widening ideological split could stymie movement on abortion legislation, particularly since House leadership has been reluctant to address the topic directly.

Despite these internal disagreements, national trends impact the state's approach to abortion legislation. Following the 2024 election, in which pro-life candidates such as Donald Trump gained traction, states like South Carolina may soon see additional tightening of abortion regulations, raising concerns among reproductive rights advocates about the state's healthcare future.

‍