South Carolina is keeping things tougher for abortion. The state had just passed a bill covering another limitation in undergoing abortion. It entails additional protection for unborn babies.
South Carolina Senate had just passed another bill banning abortion for babies past 19 weeks of gestation as reported by WJBF. The Senate approved the legislation of 36 - 9 on Tuesday that would only allow abortion if the mother's life is in danger or a doctor have determined that the life of baby would deteriorate and can't survive outside the womb. The measure also do not allow abortion even if the fetus have a severe disability but can still live. Supporters believe that a fetus can feel pain after 19 weeks.
Life News reported that the bill is entitled Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. South Carolina Citizens for Life Executive Director Holly Gatling said that the bill focuses on "pain-capable unborn children from savage late abortions that frequently tear the baby's body apart, limb by limb." Moreover, she added that no Republican senators opposed the bill while 9 of 18 Democrat senators approved the bill. Pro-life senator Larry Grooms said that it's a victory for life as he believes that an unborn child life is sacred.
ABC News reported that the law is in effect for 12 states and have been blocked wherever they've been challenged. It was nioted that on average, 30 abortions are annually performed including fetuses in beyond 19 weeks of gestation. Most of these women are married, 24 years of age and white, as recorded in the State's public health agency.
Opponents argue the laws are unconstitutional but challenging them is impractical, given that abortion clinics usually don't provide late-term abortions and women don't want to go through the trauma.
The final vote in the House would be sent to Governor Nikki Haley, but her office hasn't release a statement yet whether she'll sign it or not.
