Legislative Session Weekly Update, March 25-27
Senate Finance released their final report on the $1.8 billion accounting error. Senator Larry Grooms, who chairs the investigating subcommittee, called for State Treasurer Curtis Loftis to resign, citing a failure of oversight and a neglect of duties. Loftis, however, has adamantly refused, dismissing the calls as politically motivated and blaming the mistake on retired staff and other financial offices. As the Senate Finance Committee continues its investigation, pressure is mounting for accountability and reforms to prevent future financial mismanagement.
The Week in Review (March 25 – March 27)
Big wins this week for working families! The Senate Finance Committee passed our priority bill, Senate Bill 11, to expand paid parental leave to all state employees. Additionally, our priority bill, House Bill 3645, which extends paid parental leave from six to twelve weeks, cleared the Ways and Means subcommittee. Everyone deserves the ability to care for themselves and their loved ones without risking their financial security. Expanding paid parental leave is a critical step toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes, strengthening economic security, and advancing gender equity in the workplace. Click these links to ask your legislators to support House Bill 3645 and Senate Bill 11.
Senate Bill 425, which expands access to free meals for students living in poverty, passed out of the Senate Education Committee; Senators Hembree and Rankin were incredible champions for feeding children in the meeting. WREN is proud to partner with Wholespire, a leader in the fight to ensure all students receive healthy meals, end meal shaming, and reduce hunger in South Carolina. Food insecurity disproportionately impacts women and children, making access to nutritious school meals essential for students’ health, academic success, and future opportunities. Next stop: the Senate floor!
Senate Bill 32, which would provide taxpayer-funded incentives to crisis pregnancy centers, organizations that often present themselves as medical clinics but provide misleading and incomplete reproductive health information, also passed out of Senate Finance. WREN remains committed to monitoring this bill’s progress and advocating for transparency and accountability to ensure that South Carolinians receive accurate, unbiased reproductive health care information.
Moving Forward:
On Tuesday, April 1, the House will continue debating House Bill 3927, a bill that threatens diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in South Carolina. This harmful legislation undermines opportunities for individuals to earn a living, secure meaningful employment, and build a brighter future. We strongly urge you to take action and oppose this bill here.
On Wednesday, April 2, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee will hear Senate Bill 477, a critical fix to the Pharmacy Access Act. While the law was intended to allow pharmacists to provide contraceptives directly to patients, a misinterpretation has created unnecessary barriers, preventing it from working as intended. Everyone deserves timely, affordable access to birth control, and WREN supports policies that expand contraception access. We are advocating for this legislative fix to ensure the law functions properly and meets its original intent. Click here to support this change.
On Thursday, April 3 at 9AM in Room 403 of the Blatt Building, the House Banking and Insurance subcommittee will hear House Bill 3108, a bill that permits doulas to be covered and reimbursed through health insurance. Doulas play a vital role in improving maternal and infant health outcomes – WREN supports legislation that ensures that people have access to the full range of healthcare services they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures. Please click here to tell the committee to support this crucial legislation.
This week, three critical bills, Senate Bill 11, Senate Bill 32, and Senate Bill 425, will be heard on the Senate floor. These bills will shape the future of paid parental leave, reproductive rights, and food security in South Carolina. We need your voice! Click the links below to urge your legislators to:
- Support Senate Bill 11 to expand paid parental leave for state employees.
- Support Senate Bill 425 to increase access to free school meals for students in need.
- Oppose Senate Bill 32, which would funnel taxpayer dollars into misleading crisis pregnancy centers.
Together, we can advocate for a more equitable future for women and girls in South Carolina.