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South Carolina Panel Weighs Near-Total Abortion Ban With Sweeping Penalties

Testimony revealed rare pushback from pro-life groups and former Republican senators, complicating the bill’s path in a GOP-led legislature.

Hundreds gathered to protest or testify for a Senate Bill that creates new definitions for human life. Oct. 1, 2025. (WCIV)
Hundreds gathered to protest or testify for a Senate Bill that creates new definitions for human life. Oct. 1, 2025. (WCIV)
Hundreds gathered to protest or testify for a Senate Bill that creates new definitions for human life. Oct. 1, 2025. (WCIV)
Today groups are gathering to protest the Unborn Child Protection Act, also known as Senate Bill 323. This bill would usher in a near-total abortion ban for the state that would criminalize an abortion, or aiding an abortion, as a Felony. (WCIV){ }

Overview

  • More than 300 people signed up to testify at a South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee hearing, with large crowds at the Statehouse and emotional statements from supporters and opponents.
  • Senate Bill 323 would ban nearly all abortions except for narrowly defined medical emergencies and would remove current exceptions for rape, incest and fatal fetal anomalies.
  • The proposal attaches felony penalties of up to 30 years in prison, threatens medical licenses, enables wrongful-death lawsuits, and could treat coordinated abortion-related activity as a RICO offense.
  • The measure rewrites definitions to emphasize life at fertilization, restricts medication abortion, eliminates judicial bypass for minors, and mandates a school lesson featuring the 'Meet Baby Olivia' animation.
  • Medical groups, civil-liberties advocates, and two prominent pro-life organizations opposed the bill, Governor Henry McMaster has praised the existing six-week law, and it is unclear whether SB 323 has the votes to advance; if enacted, it would take effect immediately.