(A) No physician, nurse, technician, medical student, or other employee of a hospital, clinic or physician shall be required to recommend, perform or assist in the performance of an abortion if he advises the hospital, clinic or employing physician in writing that he objects to performing, assisting or otherwise participating in such procedures. Such notice will suffice without specification of the reason therefor.
(B) No physician, nurse, technician, medical student, or other person who refuses to perform or assist in the performance of an abortion shall be liable to any person for damages allegedly arising from such refusal.
(C) No physician, nurse, technician, medical student, or other person who refuses to perform or assist in the performance of an abortion shall because of that refusal be dismissed, suspended, demoted, or otherwise disciplined or discriminated against by the hospital or clinic with which he is affiliated or by which he is employed. A civil action for damages or reinstatement of employment, or both, may be prosecuted by any person whose employment or affiliation with a hospital or clinic has been altered or terminated in violation of this chapter.
(D) Any physician who performs an abortion shall also provide, for proper compensation, necessary aftercare for his patient unless released by the patient in writing. The extent of aftercare required shall be that care customarily provided by physicians in such cases in accordance with accepted medical practice.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 32-685; 1974 (58) 2837; 2022 Act No. 235 (H.4776), Section 3, eff June 17, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2022 Act No. 235, Section 3, redesignated (a) to (d) as (A) to (D), and in (A), (B), and (C), inserted ", medical student," following "technician".
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 44-41-10. Definitions.
Section 44-41-20. Legal Abortions.
Section 44-41-30. Persons from whom consent is required.
Section 44-41-33. Court order granting or denying minor right to obtain abortion.
Section 44-41-35. Failure to obtain required consent.
Section 44-41-40. Certain hospitals or clinics may refuse to perform abortions.
Section 44-41-60. Abortions must be reported.
Section 44-41-75. Licensing of certain abortion facilities; regulations.
Section 44-41-80. Performing or soliciting unlawful abortion; testimony of woman may be compelled.
Section 44-41-310. Short title.
Section 44-41-320. Definitions.
Section 44-41-340. Publication of materials regarding available assistance.
Section 44-41-350. Penalties for noncompliance with this article.
Section 44-41-360. Preservation of anonymity of woman having abortion.
Section 44-41-370. Applicability of article.
Section 44-41-380. Severability of provisions of article.
Section 44-41-410. Short title.
Section 44-41-420. Legislative findings.
Section 44-41-430. Definitions.
Section 44-41-440. Determination of probable post-fertilization age of unborn child.
Section 44-41-470. Penalties for noncompliance with Sections 44-41-440 and 44-41-450.
Section 44-41-480. Construction against implicit repeal of existing law.
Section 44-41-610. Definitions.
Section 44-41-620. Effect of court judgment or order; enforcement.
Section 44-41-640. Abortion provider shall make fetal heartbeat audible for pregnant woman to hear.
Section 44-41-650. Determination of detectable fetal heartbeat prior to abortion; penalties.
Section 44-41-660. Exception for medical emergency; written notations in medical records.
Section 44-41-670. No violation of Section 44-41-650 if no fetal heartbeat detected.
Section 44-41-700. No violation of Section 44-41-680 if no fetal heartbeat detected.
Section 44-41-710. Construction and application of article.
Section 44-41-720. Contraceptives not affected by this article.