South Carolina
South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 44 - Health
Chapter 41. Abortions
Section 44-41-40. Certain hospitals or clinics may refuse to perform
abortions
No private or nongovernmental hospital or clinic shall be required to
admit any patient for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy, nor shall such
institutions be required to permit their facilities to be utilized for the
performance of abortions. No cause of action shall arise against any such
hospital or clinic for refusal to perform or to allow the performance of an
abortion if the institution has adopted a policy not to admit patients for
the purpose of terminating pregnancies; provided, that no hospital or clinic
shall refuse an emergency admittance.
SECTION 44-41-50. Medical employees shall not be required to aid in
abortions; providing necessary aftercare following abortion.
(a) No physician, nurse, technician or other employee of a hospital,
clinic or physician shall be required to recommend, perform or assist in the
performance of an abortion if he advises the hospital, clinic or employing
physician in writing that he objects to performing, assisting or otherwise
participating in such procedures. Such notice will suffice without
specification of the reason therefor.
(b) No physician, nurse, technician or other person who refuses to
perform or assist in the performance of an abortion shall be liable to any
person for damages allegedly arising from such refusal.
(c) No physician, nurse, technician or other person who refuses to
perform or assist in the performance of an abortion shall because of that
refusal be dismissed, suspended, demoted, or otherwise disciplined or
discriminated against by the hospital or clinic with which he is affiliated
or by which he is employed. A civil action for damages or reinstatement of
employment, or both, may be prosecuted by any person whose employment or
affiliation with a hospital or clinic has been altered or terminated in
violation of this chapter.