(A) A physician who knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion and thereby kills a human fetus is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not less than five years, or both. This section shall not apply to a partial-birth abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, a physical illness, or a physical injury if no other medical procedure would suffice for that purpose.
(B) As used in this section:
(1) the term "partial-birth abortion" means an abortion in which the person performing the abortion partially vaginally delivers a living fetus before killing the fetus and completing the delivery.
(2) the term "physician" means a physician, surgeon, or osteopath authorized to practice medicine in this State and licensed pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 40. However, an individual who is not a physician, but who directly and knowingly performs a partial-birth abortion is also subject to the provisions of this section.
(C)(1) The father, if married to the mother at the time she receives a partial-birth abortion, and if the mother has not attained the age of eighteen years at the time of the abortion, the maternal grandparents of the fetus have a cause of action against the physician or other person unlawfully performing a partial-birth abortion and may obtain appropriate relief, unless the pregnancy resulted from the plaintiff's criminal conduct or the plaintiff consented to the abortion.
(2) Such relief includes, but is not limited to:
(a) actual damages which shall be trebled;
(b) punitive damages for all injuries, psychological and physical, occasioned by the violation of this section; and
(c) reasonable costs and attorney's fees.
(D) A woman upon whom a partial-birth abortion is performed may not be prosecuted for a violation of this section, for a conspiracy to violate this section, or for any other offense which is based on a violation of this section.
HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 11, Section 1.
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.