South Carolina lawmakers have scheduled a committee hearing Tuesday on a bill that could send women to prison for having abortions.
The legislation faces a long process toward passage. Anti-abortion advocates are also divided over the punishment aspect. However the bill is up for a second hearing Tuesday, further than any similar proposal has gotten.
It bans all abortions unless the woman's life is at risk and eliminates exceptions for rape and incest victims. Women who get an abortion and anyone who helps them could get up to 30 years in prison.
A statement from South Carolina Citizens for Life says it can’t support the bill because women who get abortions are victims too and shouldn’t be punished.
Equal Protection South Carolina says, “Abortion is murder and should be treated as such.”