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South Carolina -- February 23, 2023: South Carolina state legislators
have proposed a bill that would classify
performing an abortion as a capital offense, potentially making the death penalty a punishment for doctors
who perform the procedure. The bill, called the "South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act,"
was introduced by state senator Larry Grooms on February 16th, 2023.
The bill would make it illegal for doctors to perform an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur
as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. It also defines the fetus as a "person" with legal rights, and would allow criminal charges to be brought against anyone who causes harm to a fetus.
If the bill were to pass, doctors who perform an abortion after the fetal heartbeat is detected could be charged with a felony, which in South Carolina carries a maximum punishment of death. The woman seeking the abortion would not be subject to criminal charges.
In accordance with South Carolina's Code of Laws, a person who is found guilty of murder or admits guilt must be put to death or sentenced to a minimum of 30 years to life in prison. If passed, the bill would subject women who had abortions to the death penalty.
The proposed bill has sparked intense controversy and criticism from both sides of the abortion debate. Supporters of the
bill argue that it is necessary to protect the rights of the fetus and prevent what they see as the taking of innocent life. Opponents argue that it would violate a woman's right to choose and that the death penalty is an excessive and cruel punishment.
Similar bills have been proposed in other states, including Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, but have faced legal challenges and have not yet been implemented. If the South Carolina bill were to become law, it would be the first of its kind in the United States.
The bill is currently being reviewed by the state legislature's judiciary committee, and it is unclear whether it will have enough support to pass. However, its introduction highlights the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding abortion rights in the United States, and the potential for drastic measures to be taken by lawmakers on both sides of the issue.
WNCTIMES by Marjorie Farrington
