South Carolina lawmakers have proposed a bill that would allow the death penalty for people who get abortions as of December 2024. The bill was first introduced by Republican Rep. Rob Harris in January 2023 and has since gained national attention, sparking outrage among abortion-rights advocates. The bill seeks to include an unborn child at any stage of development when defining the word “person” in South Carolina’s criminal code, subjecting people who have abortions to homicide laws.
While the proposed legislation could potentially result in people who get abortions facing the death penalty, it is unlikely to pass. The bill faced significant backlash in 2023, with 12 of its 24 cosponsors removing their names due to concerns about the death penalty for women who have abortions. The bill did not progress past its initial hearing in the state’s Judiciary Committee.
If the bill were to become law, it would impact how individuals who have abortions are prosecuted under the state’s homicide laws. However, the bill’s reintroduction in 2024 does not guarantee its passage, as it would need to clear the state House and Senate and be signed by the governor. Despite the controversial nature of the bill, its chances of becoming law are uncertain.
While the legislation has sparked discussions on social media and received media coverage, the pushback against it highlights the unlikelihood of its passage. The bill’s previous failure to advance in the legislative process and the opposition from some lawmakers indicate challenges in enacting such a controversial measure.
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