Legislative Session Weekly Update, February 10-12
The Week in Review (February 10-12):
Here’s what happened during week five of legislative session, what’s at stake, and how you can take action to help build a better South Carolina for women and girls.
Eviction Sealing
H. 4270 (Eviction Sealing) was heard and passed out of subcommittee unanimously.
The bill removes eviction filings from the public record if they don’t result in an eviction and allows tenants to seal records after five years. Everyone deserves a fair shot at stable housing.
WREN is proud to support H. 4270 alongside our partners at the ACLU, South Carolina Housing Justice Network, and South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center.
Please urge your House representatives to SUPPORT H. 4270. You can use our Advocacy Toolkit to find your local legislators.
Transgender Documentation Ban
S. 162 (Transgender Documentation Ban) was heard in subcommittee but did not receive a vote.
S. 162 would change South Carolina law on amending birth certificates, adding new limits on updating gender markers.
Identity documents shouldn’t be politicized or used to single people out. This creates barriers and risks, further stigmatizing transgender and gender-diverse people.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on S. 162.
Expanding Access to Care
S. 477, the Pharmacy Access Act fix, has yet to be taken up on the House floor.
This legislation strengthens the Pharmacy Access Act by allowing pharmacists to directly provide birth control, improving timely and affordable care, especially in rural communities and areas with fewer health care options.
WREN is proud to partner with the South Carolina Pharmacy Association and Senator Tom Davis on this effort. We also worked together to pass the original Pharmacy Access Act in 2022.
Please urge your House representative to VOTE YES on S. 477 so everyone can receive the care they need.
This Week (February 17-19):
Harmful “Parental Rights” Bill
H. 4757 (Harmful “Parental Rights” Bill) is expected to be heard in the House for a second reading.
H. 4757 would require parental consent for more non-emergency care and roll back current confidentiality protections, making it harder for teens to get reproductive, prenatal, and postpartum care.
Please contact your House representative and urge them to VOTE NO on H. 4757.
Child Protection Rollback Bill
S. 540 (Child Protection Rollback Bill) will be heard in the Senate subcommittee this week.
S. 540 would undermine child protection standards, restrict courts’ ability to act in a child’s best interest, weaken oversight in foster care and adoption, and risk harm to LGBTQ+ youth in state systems.
Child welfare decisions must center children, not politics.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on S. 540.
Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill
S. 199 (Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill) will be heard in the Senate subcommittee this week.
S. 199 would force students in public schools and universities to use restrooms and locker rooms based on what was recorded at birth and opens the door to lawsuits based on suspicion alone.
Women and girls deserve dignity and safety, not scrutiny in private spaces.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on S. 199.
CARE Act
S. 385 (CARE ACT) will be heard in the Senate subcommittee this week.
S. 385 supports early pregnancy screening for people in custody and allows those who qualify to remain in the community during pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after birth.
Women and girls deserve dignity, safety, and care, not unnecessary confinement. WREN is proud to partner with the ACLU of SC on this legislation.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to SUPPORT S. 385.
Thank you for showing up, staying engaged, and taking action. We’ll continue sharing updates and meaningful ways to get involved as this fast-moving session continues.