Few topics are as controversial as abortion. Many people hold strong beliefs on both the pro-life and pro-choice sides of the argument. No matter what your view is, abortion is legal in the United States and has been for over 40 years. If you or a sexual partner are considering abortion in South Carolina, it’s important to understand the law.
The following table outlines the abortion laws you need to know in South Carolina.
| Code Section | South Carolina Code Title 44: Health, Chapter 41: Abortions |
| Statutory Definition of Legal Abortion | Abortions defined as using instrument or medication with the intent to terminate a pregnancy (other than birth, to preserve a the baby’s live or remove dead fetus) are legal in South Carolina only under the following three circumstances:
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| Penalty for Unlawful Abortion | If a doctor performs an unlawful abortion, including prescribing any medication or substance for a woman to use to abort her fetus, it’ll be deemed a felony punished by 2 to 5 years in prison and a fine not more than $5,000. If a woman solicits any person for an abortion, administers any substance (self-abortion), or submits to an unlawful abortion procedure, she’s guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by not more than 2 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000. Partial-birth abortions (vaginal deliveries with live fetuses) are also illegal, if a fetus is killed in the process it’s a felony with a penalty of not less than 5 years in prison and not less than a $5,000 fine. However, this doesn’t apply to partial-birth abortions necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life. The father or maternal grandparents of the fetus can sue the doctor in civil court and potentially receive triple the actual damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees. The woman who has the partial-birth abortion can’t be prosecuted for violating this law. Failing to obtain parental consent is prima facie (establishes the case unless disproved) evidence of interference with family relations in civil actions and the parents can assert the common law rights of parents. If an abortion is intentionally performed without conforming to consent standards for minors, it’s a misdemeanor with fine of $2,000 to 10,000 and up to 3 years imprisonment penalty for the first or second offense. For a third or subsequent offense, the minimum jail time is 60 days and the maximum is still 3 years. |
| Consent Requirements | The pregnant woman’s written consent is required for an abortion to be performed in South Carolina. However, if she’s under 17 years and unmarried, the consent of at least one parent, grandparent, or guardian is required, except in medical emergencies or if the pregnancy is the result of incest. South Carolina has a judicial bypass where the minor can petition the court for the right to an abortion without parental notification. She has the right to court-appointed counsel for this hearing and a guardian ad litem will be appointed. The abortion is to be granted if it’s in the best interest of the child. If the court finds the minor is too immature and the abortion wouldn’t be in her best interest, it’ll be denied. She has a right to appeal in this case. If denied, the father is identified, he will be ordered to share in the costs of delivery and raising the child. The state may pay for counseling, prenatal care, delivery, and post-natal care. Either a spouse, parent, or legal guardian will have to consent to abortion for a woman found mentally incompetent. |
| Counseling and Waiting Period | Women are required to receive state-directed counseling with information designed to discourage abortion and then wait 24 hours before the procedure can be performed. |
| Penalty for Counseling and Waiting Period Violations | When a doctor knows or should know the counseling or waiting period requirements haven’t been complied with is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined not more than $1,000 for a first or second offense. For a third or subsequent offense, the doctor can be fined not more than $5,000 and be imprisoned not more than three years. |
| Physician and Facility Licensing Requirements | Abortions can only be performed in certain settings during each trimester in South Carolina.
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If you need assistance asserting your right to abortion or defending yourself as an abortion provider in South Carolina, you should consult with an experienced South Carolina health care attorney.
Note: As you may know, state laws change regularly. Therefore, you should conduct your own legal research to confirm any state laws you’re reviewing.
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