S 323 remains unacceptable in its entirety. There is no amendment that could make this bill acceptable. It would treat any abortion as homicide with exceptions only for imminent death of the mother or loss of major bodily function.  Read our testimony. 

What is S.323?

S. 323 is an almost total ban on abortions, identifying it as the crime of homicide punishable by a prison term of up to 30 years for a person having an abortion or aiding in abortion.

There are NO exceptions for rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomalies. This last means that women would be forced to continue to carry fetuses with no hope of life outside the womb, often fetuses that are likely to die in the uterus threatening the life of the woman.

S.323 would give control of every pregnancy, and every pregnant person, in South Carolina to the State. The implications go far beyond preventing abortion and would put at risk anyone who miscarries even the most wanted pregnancy.

Among other things, S. 323 would also:

• Restrict the use of birth control by amending the definition of a legal “contraceptive” to exclude anything that prevents ovulation or implantation of a fertilized ovum
• Restrict in vitro fertilization by defining a “human embryo” as a fertilized egg or zygote
• Make it unlawful to possess any drug or substance that can be used for abortion
• Make providing information about abortion unlawful, including via a website or phone call.