On Friday, almost 24 hours after Gov. Henry McMaster signed the Fetal Heartbeat Act into law, Circuit Judge Clifton Newman ruled to maintain the status quo – meaning that he would not overturn the state Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down the former heartbeat law in January.  

This decision was expected and accurately predicted by leadership in the state General Assembly. 

In January, the state Supreme Court struck down the former heartbeat law by a 3-2 vote and concluded the law violated the S.C. constitution’s right-to-privacy clause. Some key factors have changed since that decision: 

1. Roe v. Wade has been overturned with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court; 
2. A new justice has been appointed to the S.C. Supreme Court; and 
3. The new heartbeat law was written specifically to address the court’s issues regarding the former legislation. 

Now, the S.C. Supreme Court can lift the injunction or allow it to continue while the court hears oral arguments, for the second time, regarding the constitutionality of the heartbeat law. If it can withstand current legal proceedings, this act could save hundreds of unborn children every month from abortion and stop most out-of-state women from seeking abortions here. 

Please continue to pray for the cause of life in South Carolina and keep in your prayers the five justices on our Supreme Court. 

The Catholic Conference will continue to keep you updated on this important pro-life legislation.