South Carolina Updates
The second year of South Carolina's two-year session began on January 14, 2020.
S. 361 – Defining Consent in Criminal Sexual Conduct Law
Sponsor: Margie Bright Matthews (D-45)
This bill would ensure that consent is properly defined in current sexual conduct law. Having a proper definition for consent is crucial when prosecuting sexual crimes.
Last Action: Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee on 1/10/19
S. 305 - Teen Dating Violence Prevention Act
Sponsors: Mia McLeod (D-22), Katrina Shealy (D-23), Sandy Senn (R-41), Margie Bright Matthews (D-45)
This bill establishes penalties for teen dating violence and allows victims to obtain restraining orders. The bill also requires the state’s health education instruction to include information about teen dating violence in its curriculum. A similar bill, H. 3075, was also introduced in the House by Representatives.
Last Action: Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee on 1/8/19
H. 3340 - Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
Sponsors: Leon Stavrinakis (D-119), Peter McCoy (R-115), Mandy Powers Norrell (D-44), Seth Rose (D-72)
H. 3340 seeks to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which declares that everyone, regardless of sex, has equality of rights. A similar bill, H. 3391, was also introduced.
Last Action: Sent to House Judiciary Committee on 1/8/19
S. 187 - 12-Month Supply of Birth Control
Sponsor: Katrina Shealy (D-23)
This legislation would ensure that women in South Carolina have a readily available supply of contraceptives by eliminating monthly trips to pharmacies. A similar bill, H. 3279, was also introduced in the House by Representatives.
Last Action: Sent to Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on 1/8/19
H. 3020 - Fetal Heartbeat Ban
This bill bans abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Because this may happen as early as six weeks gestation – before most women even realize they’re pregnant – this bill would effectively ban safe, legal abortion in South Carolina. A companion bill, S. 32, has also been introduced in the Senate.
Last Action: Passed House 64-22 on 4/24/19; Sent to Senate
H. 3182 ⎯ Method Ban
This bill bans the most common and safest methods of abortion during the second trimester. This procedure would not improve the medical care of the woman, but would instead place her health and potentially her life in jeopardy. We believe medical care and procedures should be determined by physicians and their patients. Government intrusion into doctors’ medical practices is a serious overreach.
This bill passed the House in 2018 but was successfully amended, filibustered and defeated in the Senate
Last Action: Sent to House Judiciary Committee on 1/8/19
H. 3289 ⎯ "Personhood Act of South Carolina"
A bill that would ban all safe and legal abortion and threaten access to infertility treatment, miscarriage management, and many common and effective forms of birth control. This bill would have major ramifications for the full spectrum of reproductive health care.
Last Action: Sent to House Judiciary Committee on 1/8/19
S. 485 ⎯ "Personhood Act of South Carolina"
A bill that would ban all safe and legal abortion and threaten access to infertility treatment, miscarriage management, and many common and effective forms of birth control. This bill would have major ramifications for the full spectrum of reproductive health care. This bill goes a step further and criminalizes abortion for all with knowledge of the procedure.
Last Action: Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/6/19
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