S20 - Care for Women, Children, and Families Act - Part I. (SL 2023-14)

Overview: Part I of S.L. 2023-14, as amended by Part XIII-B and Part XIV of S.L. 2023-65, repeals and replaces the current abortion law in North Carolina. Under the new law, abortion is permitted through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for any reason, through the 20th week of pregnancy if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, through the 24th week of pregnancy if there is a life-limiting anomaly in the unborn child, and at any time if there is a medical emergency for the pregnant woman. Part I also bifurcates the definition of abortion into surgical and medical abortions and creates new informed consent provisions for both. Finally, Part I criminalizes the provision or advertising of abortion-inducing drugs in certain circumstances, prohibits eugenic abortions, and establishes reporting requirements for abortion.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 14, 2023. The veto was overridden by the General Assembly on May 16, 2023. This Part of the act became effective July 1, 2023, and the criminal provisions apply to any offenses committed on or after that date.