In a 4-to-1 ruling on Aug. 23, the South Carolina Supreme Court declared the state’s six-week abortion ban is constitutional.

Effective immediately, the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act recognizes the significance of a baby’s heartbeat at six weeks gestation and limits abortions. Doctors who deliberately violate the law will lose their license to practice in the Palmetto State and could face criminal charges, penalties and jail time.

After the court struck down a previous six-week abortion law earlier this year due to being viewed as a violation of women’s privacy, the General Assembly rewrote the law to address the court’s concerns.

The new law makes exceptions for women with life-threatening medical conditions, fatal fetal anomaly, and allows those pregnant by rape or incest to abort up to 12 weeks.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a historic moment in our state’s history and is the culmination of years of hard work and determination by so many in our state to ensure that the sanctity of life is protected,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.

After McMaster signed the law into effect in May, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and other medical providers disputed the ruling in an attempt to reverse the decision. The South Carolina Supreme Court was asked to quickly examine the case. The justices ultimately ruled to override the state’s 22-week abortion law and suspend the state’s temporary block on the six-week abortion ban.

“With this victory, we protect the lives of countless unborn children and reaffirm South Carolina’s place as one of the most pro-life states in America,” McMaster said.

According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, unborn babies at six weeks gestation (equivalent to 22 days post-fertilization) have a steady heartbeat of around 110 beats per minute. By the end of that week, the baby’s brain, eyes, ears, and nose have all started to form.

“Life is winning in the Palmetto State and in hearts and minds nationwide,” said Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Today’s decision respects the compassionate will of South Carolinians and their legislators, who have repeatedly expressed their desire to protect babies from brutal abortions and provide true aid to mothers.

“A year after the Dobbs victory freed elected leaders to act, 25 states—half the country—have put pro-life protections into law. The majority of these states protect unborn children at least when their heartbeat can be detected, a point when science shows they have more than a 90% chance of surviving to birth. We are so thankful to Governor McMaster for being a champion of life, Attorney General Wilson and his team for fighting for the people, and all our allies for their persistence. From this moment on, thousands of lives will be saved.”

Photo: McPhoto/Bachmann/Alamy Stock Photo