It is the intention of the Greenville County Council to reasonably regulate abortion in conformance with the decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Greenville County Council does solemnly declare and find in reaffirmation of the long standing policy of this county and state that the unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and is, therefore, a legal person for purposes of the unborn child’s right to life and is entitled to the right to life at conception. County council is aware that the Supreme Court has not yet recognized the right to life of the unborn child from conception and that this legislation is intended to regulate to the extent allowed by the Supreme Court decisions. However, the policy of this county is that abortions should be prohibited in all cases unless necessary for the preservation of the mother’s life.
The matter of regulating abortion is not primarily a local matter. However, since the intentions of the state legislature concerning this matter are unclear, this article will regulate abortion in Greenville County to the extent provided herein until the state legislature enacts legislation preempting local regulation.
(1976 Code, § 2-351) (Ord. 2031, § 1, passed 9-5-1989)