The State Supreme Court has upheld South Carolina's six-week abortion ban. The decision overrides the one handed down by the high court earlier this year when Planned Parenthood successfully challenged the law.
Changes made by the legislature have satisified the court's concern over constitutional privacy rights. The four-to-one decision is a victory for anti-abortion forces.
In May, after months of infighting, the General Assembly passed a new law banning abortions after cardiac activity is detected by ultrasound. That's typically around the sixth week of pregnancy. Governor McMaster's statement say Wednesday's ruling, "...reaffirms South Carolina's place as one of the most pro-life states in America." Chief Justice Donald Beatty was the lone dissenter.
The law provides exceptions in cases of rape, incest and pregnancies that endanger the mother's life.
