COLUMBIA, S.C. (Wednesday, April 24, 2019) -- A Heartbeat Bill (H3020) passed the South Carolina House of Representatives
late Wednesday afternoon after an all-day contentious and sometimes bitter debate. The bill outlaws abortion when a heartbeat is detected, usually at six weeks, except in the cases of medical emergency, serious impairment to the mother's bodily function, or when the woman claims to be a victim of rape or incest. There is no requirement for
reporting the crime to law enforcement.
The
vote was 70-31, largely along party lines, with 11 members not voting and 10 members with excused absences. Currently there are two vacancies in the 124 member body.
"Passage by the House is a victory for all who value the dignity and sanctity of all innocent human life," said Lisa Van Riper, President of South Carolina Citizens for Life. "This bill recognizes what science has revealed -- abortion stops a beating heart."
Representative John McCravy, R-Greenwood, the chief sponsor of the bill said, "God has granted us favor and answered many prayers by this substantial step forward in our state."
The most contentious aspect of the debate was an amendment that exempts women who say they were raped or were the victim of incest although it does not have to be reported to law enforcement.
The motion to table the rape and incest amendment was defeated by wide margin of 38 votes against tabling (virtually defeating) the motion and 62 votes in support of the rape and incest exceptions. The amendment was then adopted on a voice vote and no roll call was taken.
Numerous other amendments, however, were defeated including amendments to repeal the 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, allowing nurses to perform abortions, and allowing pills for chemical abortions to be distributed via telemedicine clinics. In South Carolina only doctors can perform abortions and abortion pills cannot be distributed through telemedicine facilities.
After the technical third reading in the SC House, the Heartbeat bill moves to the State Senate. It is not expected to be taken up until 2020.