The bill S. 713 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding wrongful death actions to include provisions specifically for unborn children. It proposes that a wrongful death action can be maintained for an unborn child at any stage of development, and establishes that a violation of specific abortion laws serves as prima facie evidence for parents to initiate such actions. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the mother, father, or both may bring a wrongful death action for a deceased unborn child, and they will be the only beneficiaries of the action.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the existing law on the approval of settlements in wrongful death or survival actions, granting the parent initiating the wrongful death action for an unborn child the authority to settle the action. This includes provisions for the court's approval of settlements and the necessary procedures to follow, ensuring that the interests of the statutory beneficiaries are considered. The bill is set to take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/10/2025: 15-51-10, 15-51-20, 15-51-42
Latest Version: 15-51-10, 15-51-20, 15-51-42