Republican lawmakers in South Carolina have brought back a contentious bill that defines abortion at any stage of pregnancy as murder under state law, which could expose individuals seeking the procedure to the death penalty.
The South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act, which was first introduced in 2023 and subsequently withdrawn in early 2024, has been refiled by state Rep. Rob Harris and now has the support of seven additional Republican co-sponsors.
This legislation classifies embryos and fetuses at every stage of pregnancy as legal persons, thereby categorizing abortion — including those that take place prior to the state's six-week ban — as homicide. Although the bill permits exceptions for situations where a person's life is endangered or in the event of a miscarriage.
Critics contend that the wording compels individuals to demonstrate their innocence, exposing them to potential criminal charges even if they qualify for the exceptions.
Critics of the bill further argue that it may lead to severe repercussions for reproductive rights in South Carolina, rendering access to abortion nearly unattainable.
The state House Judiciary Committee is anticipated to review the bill early next year, signifying a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for abortion rights in the U.S.