South Carolina Senate Proposes Most Restrictive Abortion Bill Yet

Tue Nov 18 2025 14:33:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A controversial bill in South Carolina aims to impose severe penalties on women who opt for abortions, stirring a heated debate across the state.

The South Carolina Senate will discuss a bill proposing to imprison women for up to 30 years for having abortions. This bill, the strictest of its kind in the U.S., would also restrict contraception and severely limit reproductive healthcare options. As legislators navigate the complexities of the proposal, both supporters and opponents express strong opinions on its implications for women's rights and healthcare.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A significant legislative proposal set to be reviewed by South Carolina senators could impose harsh penalties on women obtaining abortions, potentially leading to prison sentences of decades. This bill, among the strictest in the nation, could also limit access to contraceptives and in vitro fertilization.

The subcommittee within the state's Senate Medical Affairs Committee will assess the bill, which could be just the beginning of several legislative hurdles it faces. Despite its controversial nature, this proposal has advanced further than any similar efforts across the U.S. since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The proposal aims to ban all abortions unless a woman's life is at risk, a stark deviation from the current law, which permits abortions until cardiac activity is detected—around six weeks into pregnancy. Currently, abortions are allowed up to 12 weeks in cases of rape or incest.

Notably, this bill goes beyond existing restrictions in other states, suggesting that anyone aiding in an abortion, including the women themselves, could face up to 30 years in prison. Moreover, the proposed legislation appears to aim at banning contraceptives that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, which includes intrauterine devices (IUDs) and could pose challenges for in vitro fertilization services.

Republican Senator Richard Cash, the bill’s sponsor, has acknowledged concerns about its implications on contraception and the ability of medical professionals to inform patients, yet he has remained noncommittal about potential amendments to address these issues.

As the bill progresses, it has sparked a division in the anti-abortion movement, with groups like South Carolina Citizens for Life expressing opposition based on the argument that women who seek abortions are victims in their circumstances. Conversely, other factions, such as Equal Protection South Carolina, argue that “abortion is murder” and deserve stringent penalties.

The future of this bill, its potential amendments, and the broader implications on women's rights and healthcare in conservative states remain uncertain, highlighting the escalating conflict over reproductive rights in the U.S.