COLUMBIA, S.C. — A motion filed by Planned Parenthood in February to put a pause to South Carolina's six-week abortion ban has been denied by a circuit court judge.
The nonprofit argued that the bill was not clear enough when it comes to the timeline of when fetal heartbeats can be detected.
Circuit Court Judge Daniel Coble denied the motion, saying that the court did not take the decision lightly. He went on to say that the case was not about deciding constitutionality but about determining lawmakers' intent when passing the bill.
Coble went on to say that the General Assembly clearly intended for the bill to mean the six-week mark. The judge also referenced the frequent use of six weeks in the SC Supreme Court case last year.
Coble said the term "fetal heartbeat" is somewhat vague, but it does not meet the standard to be considered unconstitutional.
Neither the state nor Planned Parenthood had responded to the decision as of Thursday evening.