Columbia, S.C. — A bill that would allow judges to impose lengthy prison sentences on women who receive abortions is under consideration by a South Carolina Senate subcommittee. This proposal could also severely restrict the use of IUDs and in vitro fertilization (IVF), making it one of the most stringent abortion measures in the United States.
The proposed legislation seeks to ban all abortions except in cases where the mother’s life is at stake. Current law allows abortions until about six weeks into a pregnancy, often before many women are even aware they are pregnant, and permits abortions for victims of rape or incest up to 12 weeks.
Under the new proposal, not only would women face severe repercussions, but anyone who aids a woman seeking an abortion could also face prison sentences of up to 30 years. This alarming bill also seems to target contraceptive methods that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, thereby jeopardizing access to IUDs and IVF.
Republican Senator Richard Cash, a staunch opponent of abortion rights, is sponsoring the bill and will guide the subcommittee’s discussion. Despite acknowledging some of the issues — particularly regarding contraception and restrictions on medical advice — he has not indicated any plans to amend the bill.
Organizations like South Carolina Citizens for Life are hesitant to support this bill, emphasizing that women who undergo abortion procedures are victims and should not face punishment. Conversely, supporters of the bill argue that abortion is equivalent to murder and should be penalized accordingly.
The atmosphere surrounding this legislation reflects a deepening divide among anti-abortion groups in the state, complicating the conversation surrounding reproductive rights under conservative leadership.
