A judge has issued a temporary halt to South Carolina's new law that bans most abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy. The Friday ruling by Judge Clifton Newman came shortly after Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill into law. As a result, South Carolina will revert back to a ban on abortions at approximately 20 weeks after fertilisation until the state Supreme Court reviews the measure.

Judge Newman stated that the status quo should be maintained until the Supreme Court has an opportunity to review the law. "It's going to end up there," he said.

The newly passed law is similar to a previous ban on abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which was passed in 2021.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-carolina-passes-six-week-abortion-ban-details-here-595807">US: South Carolina passes six-week abortion ban. Details here</a>

However, the state Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision ruled that the 2021 law violated the right to privacy outlined in the state constitution.&nbsp;

As per AP, legislative leaders believe that the new law makes some technical tweaks and that these may influence at least one justice to reconsider their position, especially since the author of the previous ruling has retired.

However, abortion rights group Planned Parenthood contends that the new law is so similar to the previous one that it would harm clinics and women seeking treatment if it remains in effect until a full court review.

Planned Parenthood immediately filed a lawsuit against the new law upon its signing, arguing that it created uncertainty for South Carolina's abortion clinics, resulting in cancelled appointments for patients in the later stages of pregnancy and requiring doctors to give careful consideration to the new regulations.&nbsp;

The majority opinion in the state Supreme Court ruling that struck down the 2021 law highlighted the authority of lawmakers to protect life but ultimately recognised that the privacy clause in the state constitution grants women the time to decide whether to have an abortion.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-carolina-legislature-overrides-12-week-abortion-ban-veto-makes-it-law-593429">North Carolina legislature overrides 12-week abortion ban veto, makes it law</a>

It stated that most women are unaware of their pregnancy at six weeks after conception.&nbsp;

Justice Kaye Hearn, who authored the opinion, has since retired, leaving the South Carolina Supreme Court as the only high court in the country without a female justice.

The changes made in the new law specifically target Justice John Few, who was part of the majority in the previous ruling. Justice Few expressed concerns about the poorly written nature of the 2021 law and suggested that a full ban on abortion would likely be constitutional.&nbsp;

He compared a ban to child abuse or rape laws and said that it would not violate privacy rights if a fetus is granted the same rights as a person.&nbsp;

The new law includes exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, the life and health of the patient, and cases of rape or incest within the first 12 weeks. Violating the law could result in felony charges for doctors, carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A judge has issued a temporary halt to South Carolina's new law that bans most abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy. The Friday ruling by Judge Clifton Newman came shortly after Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill into law.

A judge has issued a temporary halt to South Carolina's new law that bans most abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy. The Friday ruling by Judge Clifton Newman came shortly after Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill into law. As a result, South Carolina will revert back to a ban on abortions at approximately 20 weeks after fertilisation until the state Supreme Court reviews the measure. Judge Newman stated that the status quo should be maintained until the Supreme Court has an opportunity to review the law. "It's going to end up there," he said. The newly passed law is similar to a previous ban on abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which was passed in 2021. Also read | US: South Carolina passes six-week abortion ban. Details here However, the state Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision ruled that the 2021 law violated the right to privacy outlined in the state constitution. As per AP, legislative leaders believe that the new law makes some technical tweaks and that these may influence at least one justice to reconsider their position, especially since the author of the previous ruling has retired. However, abortion rights group Planned Parenthood contends that the new law is so similar to the previous one that it would harm clinics and women seeking treatment if it remains in effect until a full court review. Planned Parenthood immediately filed a lawsuit against the new law upon its signing, arguing that it created uncertainty for South Carolina's abortion clinics, resulting in cancelled appointments for patients in the later stages of pregnancy and requiring doctors to give careful consideration to the new regulations. The majority opinion in the state Supreme Court ruling that struck down the 2021 law highlighted the authority of lawmakers to protect life but ultimately recognised that the privacy clause in the state constitution grants women the time to decide whether to have an abortion. Also read | North Carolina legislature overrides 12-week abortion ban veto, makes it law It stated that most women are unaware of their pregnancy at six weeks after conception. Justice Kaye Hearn, who authored the opinion, has since retired, leaving the South Carolina Supreme Court as the only high court in the country without a female justice. The changes made in the new law specifically target Justice John Few, who was part of the majority in the previous ruling. Justice Few expressed concerns about the poorly written nature of the 2021 law and suggested that a full ban on abortion would likely be constitutional. He compared a ban to child abuse or rape laws and said that it would not violate privacy rights if a fetus is granted the same rights as a person. The new law includes exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, the life and health of the patient, and cases of rape or incest within the first 12 weeks. Violating the law could result in felony charges for doctors, carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

South Carolina judge temporarily blocks abortion ban, pending Supreme Court review

The South Carolina Senate approved a bill on Tuesday (May 23) that would ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy. That's the time most women don't even know if they are pregnant.

The South Carolina Senate approved a bill on Tuesday (May 23) that would ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy. That's the time most women don't even know if they are pregnant. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, the bill was sent to Governor Henry McMaster, who promised to sign it. Tuesday's proposal restores a ban South Carolina had in place when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v.Wade last year- a ban that, once it took effect, was overturned by the state’s highest court as it violated the state Constitution’s right to privacy. The report said that Republicans have been searching for an answer to that ruling because it left abortion legal through 22 weeks of pregnancy and there was a sharp rise in the number of abortions taking place in the state. Are there any exceptions to the newly approved bill? The bill approved on Tuesday includes exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, the patient’s life and health, and rape or incest up to 12 weeks. Doctors could face felony charges carrying two years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine, AP reported. ALSO READ | North Carolina legislature overrides 12-week abortion ban veto, makes it law Vicki Ringer, the director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said that after Tuesday's vote, her organisation would file a request for a temporary restraining order once Governor McMaster signs the bill. The bill was passed after the South Carolina House backed off a proposal to ban abortion almost entirely at conception. It also came after three Republican women urged other leaders of their party to adopt a 12-week abortion ban as they fought additional restrictions one month after helping filibuster a near-total ban. Six-week proposal not enough time: Three Republican senate members The "sister senators"- three Republicans, one Democrat, and an independent leader, who are the only women in the chamber, entered the State House Tuesday to rousing cheers from abortion rights supporters gathered on the main floor. The three Republicans said the six-week proposal did not give women enough time to make a decision. They also criticised changes like requiring child support beginning at conception as ridiculous. Republican Senator Katrina Shealy endorsed a 12-week ban as a “real compromise.” Shealy and Republican Senator Penry Gustafson pushed back on assertions that they (the three Republicans) are not true Christians because of their positions. “We in the South Carolina Legislature are not God. We do not know what’s going on in somebody else’s life. We do not have the right to make decisions for someone else,” Shealy said. Meanwhile, the Senate's 15 Democrats, unified against both abortion bans, largely let the Republican majority debate the issue among themselves. Currently, abortion remains legal through 22 weeks in South Carolina, though other regulations largely block access after the first trimester at the state’s three clinics. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: South Carolina passes six-week abortion ban. Details here

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South Carolina judge temporarily blocks abortion ban, pending Supreme Court review

US: South Carolina passes six-week abortion ban. Details here