Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. South Carolina (Planned Parenthood 2)
South Carolina Supreme Court held that a “fetal heartbeat” — as defined in a state law banning most abortions at the point such a heartbeat is detected — occurs when electrical impulses are first detectable as a “sound” with diagnostic medical technology and a medical professional observes those electrical impulses as a “steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart.” Although declining to define that point in terms of a number of weeks, the court said that biologically identifiable moment “occurs in most instances at approximately six weeks of pregnancy.” The court also held that the law is not unconstitutionally vague.
Related Commentary
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in February
Issues on the dockets include a fetal heartbeat law, police use of force, and academic freedom.