COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Senate has given initial approval to a bill preventing abortions on fetuses when a heartbeat can be detected. Just one Republican joined Democrats in a 29-17 vote Wednesday.
The proposal likely faces a final vote in the Senate on Thursday before being sent to the House.
Democrats promised a tough fight both through filibuster and any legislative machinations, but their chances appear dim. Fetal heartbeats are usually around the sixth week of pregnancy and before most women know they're pregnant.
The bill does now have exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape and incest and when the mother's life is in danger.
The bill would fine doctors $10,000 for either failing to check if there's a fetal heartbeat or for performing a scan but proceeding anyway. They'd also face two years in prison on the felony charge. The bill makes no mention of penalties for women seeking an abortion.
The House has passed similar bills previously and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says he'll sign it immediately. Earlier in the day he held a news conference with other lawmakers to push for the bill's passing.
Abortions are banned in South Carolina after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless certain medical exceptions are met.