Reproductive Rights

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 140 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; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-37, RELATING TO PRACTICE OF TELEMEDICINE REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO PERMIT DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS VIA TELEMEDICINE; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-48 SO AS 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; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-49 SO AS 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.