McMaster files appeal on preliminary injunction of Fetal HeartBeat bill Gov. Henry McMaster has filed an appeal on a pause of the Fetal Heartbeat law. Last month, a judge blocked the law from taking effect. By Live 5 Web Staff | April 2, 2021 at 4:59 PM EDT - Updated April 3 at 5:34 PM COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - Gov. Henry McMaster has filed an appeal on a pause of the Fetal Heartbeat law. Last month, a judge blocked the law from taking effect. As written, the bill is said to prevent most abortions in the state. It would block doctors from performing an abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected, which normally happens as early as about six weeks into a pregnancy.