Legislative Session Weekly Update, March 3-5
The Week in Review (March 3-5):
Here’s what happened during week eight of legislative session, what’s at stake, and how you can take action to help build a better South Carolina for women and girls.
CARE Act
First, some GREAT news!
S. 385 (CARE ACT) passed out of full committee to the Senate for second reading!
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.
We’re thrilled to see the Women’s CARE Act move forward and grateful to the champions who helped get it here. Now we need to keep the momentum going!
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE YES on S. 385!
Child Protection Rollback Bill
S. 540 (Child Protection Rollback Bill) passed out of subcommittee and will now move to the full Senate committee.
S. 540 would weaken current child protection laws, making it harder for courts and child welfare workers to step in when a child’s well-being may be at risk.
This could be especially harmful for LGBTQ+ youth involved in the child welfare system.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on S. 540.
IVF Access Restriction Bill
H. 4639 (IVF Access Restriction Bill) was heard in the House subcommittee and did not advance.
H. 4639 could limit access to important fertility care in South Carolina. It promotes a method called Restorative Reproductive Medicine, which is not the standard medical treatment for infertility and does not include assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.
The bill would also allow medical providers to refuse to learn about, refer patients to, or provide these services.
WREN strongly OPPOSES H. 4639.
SNAP Restriction Bill
S. 777 (SNAP Restriction Bill) was sent back to subcommittee and after further discussion, the subcommittee voted to adjourn debate. The bill would need another subcommittee meeting to move foward.
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.
Youth Prescription Barrier Bill
S. 710 (Youth Prescription Barrier) passed out of Senate subcommittee.
The bill would require parental consent for anyone under the age of sixteen before they can receive certain prescriptions, creating barriers that prevent youth from getting the care they need.
Requiring parental consent in every situation could delay or prevent care, especially for youth who cannot safely involve a parent or whose parents are not available.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to VOTE NO on S. 710.
This Week (March 10-12):
The House will meet on the floor to debate the state budget. Floor debate often provides a clear picture of the priorities of the General Assembly and the policies lawmakers choose to invest in.
WREN will be on the ground, advocating for a budget that prioritizes economic justice and supports policies that strengthen families and communities across South Carolina.
We believe the state budget should reflect a commitment to opportunity, stability, and well-being for all South Carolinians.
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.