Here is everything you need to know about the status of abortion law in South Carolina
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Abortion in South Carolina
In a historial move, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has overturned landmark ruling Roe v. Wade. Read more about what that means for South Carolina abortion laws.
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South Carolina currently allows abortions up to 20 weeks.
State law has remained constant for some time, despite debates over possible changes and a law passed recently that would ban abortions after six weeks. The law has been put on hold pending a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
South Carolina law has a number of provisions:
- If a patient is younger than 17, a parent, grandparent or guardian must approve the abortion except in the case of incest or medical emergency.
- A patient must review a publication called A Woman’s Right to Know at least 24 hours before an abortion.
- State health exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act can cover abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- Similarly, public funding can be used for an abortion in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest only.
Despite the restrictions, abortions are still performed in the state.
In 2020, the latest year the Department of Health and Environmental Control has released records for, 5,468 abortions were performed, with about 44% occurring before six weeks. Most — 55% — were performed between seven and 13 weeks.
Most abortions in South Carolina — 3,600 — were done through “medication abortion,” DHEC said.
Between 2018 and 2020, the number of yearly abortions in South Carolina increased by about 800.
DHEC lists three abortions clinics in South Carolina: Greenville Women’s Clinic and Planned Parenthood facilities in Columbia and Charleston.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 11:44 AM with the headline "Here is everything you need to know about the status of abortion law in South Carolina."
