A federal judge temporarily suspended a new South Carolina law on Friday that bans most abortions in the state, according to the AP.
Why it matters: The 14-day suspension comes a day after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill and planned parenthood filed a lawsuit.
Details: The “Fetal Heartbeat and Abortion Protection Act of South Carolina” requires doctors to check the fetal heartbeat, reports Shawna Chen of Axios.
- If a heartbeat is detected – which usually occurs between six and eight weeks after conception – an abortion can be performed only if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the life of the pregnant person is in danger.
- In cases of rape or incest, doctors offering the procedure are required to report the crime to local authorities.
- A pregnant person would not be punished for having an illegal abortion, but whoever performs the operation can be charged with a crime, sentenced to up to two years in prison and fined $ 10,000 if found guilty.
The big picture: U.S. District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewi will renew the suspension until she can hold a more substantial hearing in March, according to the AP.
- Planned Parenthood has requested that the law not be enforced until its case against South Carolina reaches the courts.
- Planned Parenthood and the Reproductive Rights Center said in court documents that more than 75 women should have abortions in the state in the next three days, and most abortions would be banned under the new law, the AP reported.