Legislative Session Weekly Update, March 10-12
The Week in Review (March 10-12):
Here’s what happened during week nine of legislative session, what’s at stake, and how you can take action to help build a better South Carolina for women and girls.
First, some good news!
Last week, the House debated the state budget, with lawmakers offering and debating changes. These can include amendments (which change funding) and provisos (short policy rules added to the budget).
Five harmful provisos were withdrawn and will not move forward, including proposals that would have restricted reproductive health care, targeted LGBTQ+ South Carolinians, and limited what schools can teach about health and how programs support young people.
One proviso moved forward that requires school districts to post the titles and publishers of approved health education materials, giving families more information about what resources schools use to teach about health.
The budget now moves to the Senate where it will be reviewed. The full Senate is expected to debate the budget the week of April 20.
WREN will continue working with partners and policymakers to support policies that respect bodily autonomy, promote fairness, and help women, girls, and families across South Carolina thrive.
Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill
H. 4756 (Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill) advanced to the Senate floor for debate.
H. 4756 would require students to use restrooms and changing spaces based on the sex listed on their original birth certificate. Policies like this create strict rules for deeply personal spaces and can lead to confusion, conflict, and increased scrutiny of students.
Measures like this do not make schools safer. Instead, they can single out transgender students and increase the risk of harassment.
WREN opposes H. 4756 and encourages supporters to use our partners’ action link to urge Senators to vote NO on this bill.
This Week (March 17-19):
CARE ACT
S. 385 (CARE ACT) is tentatively on the Senate calendar to be debated.
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 encouraged to see S. 385 continue to move forward and appreciate the lawmakers who have helped bring it to this stage.
Keep the bill moving forward by contacting your Senator and urging them to vote YES on S. 385.
Pair Child Care Assistance Changes with Funding
S. 770 (Pair Child Care Assistance Changes with Funding) will be heard on Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00PM.
S. 770 would change who can get help from South Carolina’s Child Care Scholarship Program, which is already under stress.
WREN believes families should be able to count on child care they can afford. New rules without new funding could make it harder for families to get help.
Use our action link to ask your senators to support funding for child care scholarships as they consider S.770.
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.