S 0087 General Bill, By Bright and Bryant
 A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO
 ENACT THE "LIFE BEGINNING AT CONCEPTION ACT" WHICH ESTABLISHES THAT THE RIGHT
 TO LIFE FOR EACH BORN AND PREBORN HUMAN BEING VESTS AT FERTILIZATION, AND THAT
 THE RIGHTS OF DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION, GUARANTEED BY ARTICLE I,
 SECTION 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE, VEST AT FERTILIZATION FOR EACH
 BORN AND PREBORN HUMAN PERSON.

   12/13/12  Senate Prefiled
   12/13/12  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/08/13  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 65)
   01/08/13  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 65)

TO AMEND CHAPTER 1, TITLE 1 OF THE 1976 CODE, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO ENACT THE "LIFE BEGINNING AT CONCEPTION ACT" WHICH ESTABLISHES THAT THE RIGHT TO LIFE FOR EACH BORN AND PREBORN HUMAN BEING VESTS AT FERTILIZATION, AND THAT THE RIGHTS OF DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION, GUARANTEED BY ARTICLE I, SECTION 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE, VEST AT FERTILIZATION FOR EACH BORN AND PREBORN HUMAN PERSON.

Whereas, the General Assembly, under Article III, Section 1A of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, is empowered to assemble to make new laws, as the common good may require; and

Whereas, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1895, guarantees that no person may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law or denied the equal protection of the laws; and

Whereas, the General Assembly in the exercise of its constitutional powers and in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under the law finds it necessary and proper to ensure that the rights of its citizens extend to each newly born and preborn human person. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 5

Section 1-1-310.    This article may be cited as the 'Life Beginning at Conception Act'.

Section 1-1-320.    (A)    The right to life for each born and preborn human being vests at fertilization.

(B)    The rights guaranteed by Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution of this State, that no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws, vest at fertilization for each born and preborn human person."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.