A South Carolina bill banning abortion for those who are over 19 weeks pregnant is making its way to the desk of Governor Nikki Haley after it was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, South Carolina Senate approved the legislation with a vote of 36-9. As reported on The Tandd, the bill would prohibit abortion for pregnant women who are past their 19th week. The bill is exempted only if the life of the mother is in jeopardy or if a doctor determines that the fetus won't survive outside the womb. The limited definition of "fetal anomaly" means that because of the bill, it would be now illegal to abort a fetus with a severe disability should the child live.
Senator Larry Grooms was captioned saying on Kitsapsun that the approval of the bill is "a victory for life." The Senator says that the "life of an unborn child is sacred. If government has any purpose it should be to protect life." Grooms had previously sponsored a similar legislation in 2010; which Senate Democrats have tried to block for years.
Leading opponent, Senator Brad Hutto, says that the abortion should still be the choice of the woman.
Unfortunately, Chieftain reports that there are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Hutto says that a woman who was victimized of rape or incest have until the fifth month of her pregnancy to decide whether or not she should abort the fetus. The legislation has set this as a deadline. Moreover, Hutto believes that for cases of a fetal anomality, allowing an excpetion entitles women to make an informed choice. Since anomalities are usually detected around 20 weeks, this could be enough time.
The 19-week abortion ban only affects hospitals. As of this writing, three abortion clinics in South Carolina do not offer abortions for over 14 weeks. According to the ban, doctors who violate the law could spend three years in prison and be fined up to $10,000.
Right now, a final vote in the House would send the bill to the governor's desk. Many believe this won't be until Wednesday, the same day legislators are expected to have a breakfast hosted by South Carolina's Catholic Diocese and a legislative luncheon hosted by the state Baptist Convention.
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