Planned Parenthood sues to stop South Carolina ‘heartbeat’ abortion restrictions

Planned Parenthood is suing South Carolina to overturn the new “Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion” law, which restricts abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

Within an hour of Republican Gov. Henry McMaster signing the bill Thursday morning, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers filed the lawsuit in state court, alleging the law is unconstitutional. 

“State lawmakers have once again trampled on our right to make private health care decisions, ignoring warnings from health care providers and precedent set by the state’s highest court just a few months ago,” said Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. 

“The decision of if, when, and how to have a child is deeply personal, and politicians making that decision for anyone else is government overreach of the highest order,” Black added.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR SIGNS FETAL HEARTBEAT BILL RESTRICTING MOST ABORTIONS AFTER 6 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

Planned Parenthood signage is displayed outside a health care clinic in Inglewood, California on May 16, 2023. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

South Carolina’s “Fetal Heartbeat” law prohibits abortions after an unborn baby develops a heartbeat, with exceptions for cases of rape or incest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and medical emergencies threatening the life

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