Reproductive Health Rights Act

A BILL TO ENACT THE 'REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS ACT', BY ADDING CHAPTER 139 TO TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION PRIOR TO THE VIABILITY OF HER EMBRYO OR FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION AFTER THE VIABILITY OF HER FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH A MINOR MAY HAVE AN ABORTION, TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CONTRACEPTIVES SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN ARE ENTITLED TO QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE, AND TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE; TO AMEND SECTION 40-47-37(C)(6) OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO PERMIT DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS VIA TELEMEDICINE; TO AMEND CHAPTER 71, TITLE 38 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-48, TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES THAT PROVIDE PREGNANCY AND CHILD BIRTH COVERAGE MUST ALSO OFFER COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS AND RELATED SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES INTENDED TO PERMANENTLY PREVENT PREGNANCY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TUBAL LIGATION, HYSTERECTOMY, AND VASECTOMY; TO AMEND CHAPTER 71, TITLE 38 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-49, TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES MUST OFFER COVERAGE FOR ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-10(2) OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO PROVIDE THAT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION MEANS AGE APPROPRIATE, UNBIASED, COMPREHENSIVE, AND MEDICALLY ACCURATE INSTRUCTION, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CAN BE TAUGHT BUT NOT TAUGHT AS THE PRIMARY OR ONLY WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; TO AMEND 59-32-10(4) OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE TO PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE FROM SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE CAN BE ENCOURAGED AS A WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 41, TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, RELATING TO ABORTION.