Legislative Session Weekly Update, February 24-26
The Week in Review (February 24-26):
Here’s what happened during week seven of legislative session, what’s at stake, and how you can take action to help build a better South Carolina for women and girls.
Reproductive Advocacy Day
First, some good news!
On February 24, more than 100 reproductive justice advocates came together at the State House with a shared call for action: it’s time to prioritize the health and well-being of the citizens of the state.
Advocates urged lawmakers to address the state’s alarming maternal mortality rates and to protect access to essential reproductive health care.
WREN was proud to stand alongside partners and community members in this powerful show of unity.
Expanding Access to Care
The Senate voted to non-concur with changes to S. 477 (Pharmacy Access Act fix).
The House and the Senate must compromise in a conference committee. If both chambers finalize and adopt an agreement, the Bill will be sent to the Governor to sign into law.
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 continue our partnership with the South Carolina Pharmacy Association and Senator Tom Davis on this effort, building on the strong collaboration that made the original Pharmacy Access Act possible in 2022.
Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill
H. 4756 and S. 199 (Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bills) were heard in Senate subcommittee, and H. 4756 was advanced.
These bills require students to use restrooms and changing facilities based on what was recorded at birth, inviting scrutiny and conflict in personal spaces.
These bills do not improve safety; they increase the risk of harassment.
Please use our partners’ action links to urge lawmakers to VOTE NO on H. 4756.
SNAP Restriction Bill
S. 777 (SNAP Restriction Bill) was heard in the Senate and advanced to full committee.
This bill would restrict how SNAP recipients can use their benefits, limiting food choices for families. Food insecurity disproportionately impacts women and children.
WREN is proud to partner with Wholespire, which has been leading efforts to improve nutrition and reduce hunger across South Carolina, and we join them in OPPOSING this legislation.
Immigration Enforcement Mandate
H. 4764 (Immigration Enforcement Mandate) was heard in the House and advanced to full committee.
H. 4764 would require local jail-running law enforcement agencies to partner with federal immigration authorities and pull them into federal immigration enforcement.
It undermines trust in local institutions, makes people less likely to seek help or report crimes, and diverts local resources away from other priorities, which ultimately destabilizes families and communities.
Please contact your House representatives and urge them to VOTE NO on H. 4764.
This Week (March 3-5):
CARE ACT
S. 385 (CARE ACT) will be heard in full Senate committee.
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 months after birth.
WREN is proud to partner with the ACLU and Pro-Life Greenville to advance this important legislation.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to SUPPORT S. 385.
Child Protection Rollback
S. 540 (Child Protection Rollback Bill) will be heard for the second time on March 4 at 9:00AM. Public testimony will be accepted.
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.
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.