The bill H. 4654 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by introducing a new section, 16-15-260, which establishes the criminal offense of coercion to obtain an abortion. This offense is defined as the act of coercing a pregnant woman, who has expressed a desire not to have an abortion, with the intent to compel her to undergo the procedure. The bill outlines specific penalties for individuals found guilty of this offense, including fines and imprisonment. Notably, if the offender is the father or putative father of the unborn child and the pregnant woman is a minor, the penalties are increased.

Additionally, the bill provides detailed definitions for key terms such as "abortion," "coercion," "financial harm," and "unborn child," ensuring clarity in the legal language. Coercion is described through various means, including threats of harm, abuse of the legal system, and manipulation of access to identification documents. The bill is currently residing in the House Committee on Judiciary and will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/17/2025: 16-15-260
Latest Version: 16-15-260