{"schema":"abhortion.org/legislation.summary/v1","id":"legality-us-sc","type":"legislation","level":"state","jurisdiction":"South Carolina","as_of_date":"2026-07-12","research_completed_date":"2026-07-12","headline":"Six-week 'heartbeat' ban in effect","summary":"Abortion is legal until cardiac activity is detected—generally at about six weeks of pregnancy—and is prohibited thereafter with limited exceptions.","machine_readable_summary":{"legal_classification":"gestational_limit","gestational_limit_weeks":6,"limit_measured_from":"last_menstrual_period","abortion_currently_available":"severely_restricted","ban_or_limit_enjoined":false,"mother_expressly_exempt":true,"mother_prosecutable_in_practice":false,"self_managed_abortion_criminalized":false,"abortion_charged_as_homicide":false,"fetal_homicide_law":true,"fetal_wrongful_death_action":true,"personhood_language_in_law":true,"personhood_contradiction":true,"medication_abortion_distinct_status":false,"mailing_pills_banned":true,"method_bans":["d_and_x"],"telehealth_prescribing_allowed":false,"physician_only_law":true,"provider_max_penalty":"Felony, up to 2 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine","helpers_criminally_exposed":"unclear","travel_assistance_criminalized":false,"civil_bounty_law":false,"shield_state":false,"waiting_period_hours":24,"state_scripted_counseling":true,"ultrasound_required":"mandatory_display","in_person_visits_required":2,"parental_involvement":"consent_one_parent","judicial_bypass_available":true,"spousal_consent_or_notice_on_books":false,"medicaid_coverage":"hyde_only","private_insurance_restricted":true,"state_funding_posture":"defunds_providers","rape_incest_exception":true,"exceptions_present":["life","physical_health","rape","incest","fatal_fetal_anomaly","ectopic_miscarriage_carveout"],"major_pending_change":true},"links":{"html":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/sc.html","markdown":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/sc.md","summary_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/sc.json","full_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/sc-full.json","verbose_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/sc-verbose.json"}}