South Carolina State Judge Halts Governor’s 6-week Abortion Ban

A state judge has halted South Carolina’s new abortion ban just one day after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed it into law.

McMaster signed the bill on May 25 and put it into effect immediately. The law limits abortions up to six weeks and includes exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

The bill received criticism immediately. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic filed a suit in the state court with Greenville Women’s Clinic and two psychic plaintiffs soon after McMaster signed it into law. Planned Parenthood said the law “trampled” on reproductive rights in South Carolina.

Responding to the lawsuit, Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman halted the law from going into effect on Friday — the day after McMaster approved the bill. Judge Newman put the law on hold in Richland County, South Carolina to review the case and its relationship to the state’s constitution.

South Carolina is the latest state to amend its abortion laws.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed a bill banning abortion at 12 weeks of pregnancy and limiting gender-affirming care for people younger than 19 last week.

While McMaster said the state asked to quickly review the case, it is unknown when a decision will be handed down. Until then, citizens in South Carolina can have an abortion until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Article by Quinn Casey

Quinn Casey is a rising junior at Williams College. He is a political science and studio art double major and leadership studies concentration from Scranton, Pa. He is an political reporting intern. Email: tqc1@williams.edu.