Republican lawmakers in South Carolina are debating whether to change a controversial bill that would make individuals who receive an abortion eligible for the death penalty.
The bill, which has been dubbed the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023, would “ensure that an unborn child who is a victim of homicide is afforded equal protection under the homicide laws of the state,” according to South Carolina General Assembly website.
The bill would also define a “person” as an “unborn child at every stage of development from fertilization until birth.”
If the eyebrow-raising piece of legislation is passed, those convicted of murder could face the death penalty or a minimum of 30 years in prison.
There are some exceptions for pregnant people and in cases of emergency
The bill will provide exceptions for pregnant people who have to receive an emergency abortion due to “the threat of imminent death or great bodily injury.” It also provides an exception if the procedure is needed to avert the death of a mother “when all reasonable alternatives to save the life of the unborn child were attempted or none were available,” the website adds.
“To see this debate go to the dark places, the dark edges, where it has gone on both sides of the aisle, has been deeply disturbing to me as a woman, as a female legislator, as a mom, and as a victim of rape,” Mace said, according to The Hill.
Since the fall of Roe, Republican states have been working overtime to place abortion limitations. 18 states have launched near or total bans on the procedure.
As of now, abortion…
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