One Step Closer to Ending Abortion in SC

The South Carolina House of Representatives worked into the early evening Tuesday and had second reading on the state's near-total abortion ban – the Human Life Protection Act.  H 5399 passed by 67–38 vote down party lines.
After several hours of amendment debate and nearly two hours of negotiations off the House floor, members returned to a series of votes which culminated in the voice-vote addition of language for rape and incest exceptions up to 12 weeks with reporting to law enforcement. This brings clarification to state law and reduces the number of weeks for an abortion from rape or incest that was ambiguous in previous legislation.

The original language of the bill that the Ad Hoc Committee had earlier drafted clearly addressed the issues of women’s health. Taking the wind of confusion that pro-abortion supporters had attempted to use in testimony before the House Ad Hoc Committee, the bill will now add into state law specific procedures that medical professionals deemed necessary to both save the life of the mother and to do all possible to save the life of the unborn child in times of medical emergency.

The House will return Wednesday at 10 AM for a final vote on the bill. Once passed, H.5399 will go to the South Carolina Senate, which is expected to return to take up the bill the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Palmetto Family will update this story as it moves forward. 

7 Comments


Idell Koury - August 30th, 2022 at 7:32pm

The rape exception requires reporting. Who knows if that stipulation will prevent lying 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Abortions, as a method of birth control, or to hide choices made by women may soon be in our past.

Doran - August 30th, 2022 at 11:32pm

I am extremely happy with the Houses passage of the Human Life Protection Act - H 5399. However, in cases of both rape and incest, the child is innocent and had no part in the act of conception. It is totally and completely immoral to allow the murder of the innocent child. Especially with regards to incest, where the woman could be actively consenting to the sexual encounter that resulted in the pregnancy. I do believe that in those situations where the woman would otherwise desire an abortion, in the situation of rape or incest, but law would not allow the abortion, she should not be burdened to endure the cost of prenatal medical care. The State should provide for all required medical care she would need during the pregnancy and delivery, but she must, prior to receiving the prenatal care, sign a contract relinquishing all rights to the child once it is born and the child should be given for adoption to a stable, man and woman married couple.



Regarding a NORMAL pregnancy, there is no justifiable reason for abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest. If the mother has a medical condition, she should be treated for the condition, while at the same time everything medically possible should be done to protect and save the baby. If, while treating the mother's condition, the baby doesn't survive, then it is an act of God and not the taking of an innocent life, but no active termination of the pregancy or the baby's life is permissible.



Regarding an ABNORMAL pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy, every effort should be made to treat the mother and save the baby, but if the knowledge, experience or technology does not exist to accomplish both, then ending the pregnancy is justifiable.

Cheri - August 31st, 2022 at 5:50am

I am the granddaughter of a rape victim. Had she chosen abortion, she would not have a son, 3 grandchildren ,7 great grand children, or 3 great great grandchildren- abortion doesn't end just 1 life!

Frank - August 31st, 2022 at 6:35am

Thank you SC house for protecting life! The party line vote was very disappointing.Was there not one Democrat who would take a bold stand for life?

Pastor Larry G Smith - August 31st, 2022 at 7:49am

Thank you to everyone who voted to pass this bill and who are working so hard every day to protect the lives of the innocent unborn! God Bless you all!

Bret - September 30th, 2022 at 8:01pm

Abortion is evil and from the devil. The Bible says that God gates hands that shed innocent blood. It is murder and the liberals can’t change that. Jesus is going to judge the living and the dead. I’m asking you all to vote to protect life and outlaw abortion. God bless America.

Floyd Anders - November 1st, 2022 at 5:20am

The Bible teaches that man is made in God’s image, and ALL life is sacred. God gives a fetus Genesis 2:7