While a proposed bill in the S.C. Senate would totally ban abortions in South Carolina without exception, it also seeks potentially unconstitutional restrictions on speech, contraceptive access and in vitro fertilization.
Senate Bill 323, sponsored by Anderson County GOP Sen. Richard Cash, would replace the state’s existing and already controversial and restrictive six-week abortion ban. According to health care experts, many women do not realize they are pregnant before six weeks.
The so-called Unborn Child Protection Act, which would make any abortion a felony, also proposes to make it unlawful to provide information about abortion, including via a website or phone call.
In light of the threat to free speech, here is information for South Carolina women seeking reproductive care:
- Talk to your health care provider about contraceptive options to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Contraceptive options include, but are not limited to, birth control pills, patches and intrauterine devices (commonly referred to as IUDs). Be aware that S.B. 323 would further 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.
- Be careful with emergency contraceptives such as Plan B. There is a misconception that Plan B, sometimes known as the “morning-after pill” is abortion medication. This is not true. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive intended to prevent pregnancy — not end it — that can be taken up to five days after sex. Health experts say you should only take Plan B if you have had unprotected sex or there was a lapse in contraceptive intake (for example, missing a birth control pill). S.B. 323, however, criminalizes the possession of any drug or substance that can be used for abortion.
- Medications. Visit plancpills.org to learn about receiving abortion medications from other U.S. states or online international pharmacies. These medications can be used in self-managed abortions (abortions without a medical professional involved), though it is illegal in some states. Check state laws before ordering medication via the internet. Under S.B. 323, these medications would be illegal to possess in South Carolina.
- Contact Planned Parenthood South Atlantic or another verified reproductive health care provider now to learn about your options. Planned Parenthood can also help patients make an out-of-state appointment, or use abortionfinder.org to locate verified providers in your state or surrounding states. With S.B. 323 potentially criminalizing informative phone calls with health care professionals, it is important to get this information sooner rather than later and make plans for the future. For now, you can also contact Carolina Abortion Fund for help with financial costs or travel logistics.
Florida’s sweeping abortion ban in May 2024 leaves North Carolina as the nearest option for S.C. women seeking out-of-state abortions. According to reproductiverights.org, abortion in North Carolina is restricted to 12 weeks, and patients must make two trips — one for an in-person counseling session and another at least 72 hours later for the abortion procedure.
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