Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that restricts access to abortion-inducing medication in South Carolina.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a person from knowingly causing an abortion through delivering, dispensing, distributing, or providing a pregnant woman an abortion-inducing drug, (Sec. 1). 

• Classifies a violation of this section as a felony and establishes punishment of imprisonment or fine for administering an abortion to an individual, including those under the age of 18, especially when the act results in severe impairment of major bodily functions or death, excluding (Sec. 1):

• A physician or other licensed medical professional administering lawful medical care, prescribing or distributing medicine for other medical reasons; 

• A pregnant woman acting in her own right with regard to the unborn child; or

• A physician, licensed by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, administering an abortion-inducing medication in person to the pregnant woman.

• Prohibits the administering of abortion-inducing medication without the knowledge or consent of the pregnant woman, and specifies that violators may be found guilty of a felony charge and sentenced to imprisonment or fine, and may be held liable for damages (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the delivery or distribution of Mifepristone and Misoprostol (Sec. 2). 

• Restricts an individual from knowingly or intentionally possessing Mifepristone and Misoprostol, unless obtained directly from a licensed physician or practitioner (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy to notify all pharmacies in South Carolina about this law (Sec. 4). 

• Requires the South Carolina Department of Public Health to notify all healthcare practitioners and providers in South Carolina about this law (Sec. 5). 

• Prohibits funding or assistance to the State of South Carolina through unlawful delivering or distribution of abortion-inducing drugs (Sec. 6). 

• Establishes no effect on individuals previously fined or imprisoned if repealed (Sec. 7). 

• Specifies that if any part of this bill is found unconstitutional, it does not affect the rest of the bill (Sec. 8). 

• Specifies that this Act takes effect 90 days after approval by the Governor (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text