Legislative Session Weekly Update, March 24-26

March 30, 2026

The Week in Review (March 24-26): 

Here’s what happened during week eleven of legislative session, what’s at stake, and how you can take action to help build a better South Carolina for women and girls.

Stillbirth Paid Parental Leave

First, some good news!

H. 4611 (Stillbirth Paid Parental Leave) received unanimous approval and is moving forward. This bill makes it clear that paid parental leave is available in the event of a stillbirth, so families do not have to deal with confusing rules during an already heartbreaking time. We are grateful to Rep. Neal Collins and Rep. Travis Moore for their work on this issue.

Please use our action link to thank members for supporting this bill and urge them to keep it moving forward.

Paid Family Leave Eligible State Employee

Senate Bill 11 was discussed in the Ways and Means General Government subcommittee, but debate was paused so members can keep working on the bill’s language. A second hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31.

The bill would expand access to paid leave by making sure all state employees can receive up to six weeks of paid leave. This would help more people take time off to care for themselves or their loved ones without losing income. We are continuing to work with staff to answer questions and provide information.

Please use our action link to urge the committee to take the bill back up and move it forward, so families who were left out before can get the support they deserve. 

Immigration Enforcement Mandate

The House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 4764, which would require local jails to work with federal immigration officials and use local staff and resources to enforce federal immigration laws. If this bill becomes law, it could make people less likely to report crimes or seek help from local agencies, and it could take time and resources away from important community needs like maternal health, childcare, and economic opportunity.

Please use our partner ACLU’s action link or contact your House representative and urge them to vote no on H. 4764 as it continues to move through the legislative process. 

Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill

Senate passed House Bill 4756, a harmful anti-transgender bathroom bill, after adding several amendments. Because of these changes, the bill must now go back to the House for another vote, where members will decide whether to agree with the Senate’s version. If the House agrees, the bill will move to the Governor’s desk. While this bill is harmful in any form, the original House version does more to limit that harm, makes more sense, and helps keep people safer than the amended version passed by the Senate. We need the House to stand strong and reject these changes.

Please use the our partner ACLU’s action link to contact your House representative as soon as possible and urge them NOT to concur with the Senate amendments. 

School Panic Alert Safety & Student Physical Activity and Recess

The full Senate Education Committee passed two important bills: H. 3258, focused on school safety, and H. 3195, which supports student physical activity. 

H. 3258 would require public schools to use mobile panic alert systems that connect directly to emergency responders. This would help schools respond faster in an emergency and better protect students, teachers, and staff. We’re glad to support this effort alongside the Palmetto Teachers Association.  

H. 3195 would give students more time to be active by increasing physical education and daily recess for students in four-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade. Daily movement is important for children’s health, well-being, and learning, and we’re proud to work with partners like Wholespire to support this bill. 

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. WREN will remain engaged at the State House and will continue monitoring these issues in the week ahead.