This week in the South Carolina Statehouse, lawmakers will attempt to further restrict the reproductive rights of South Carolinians. They will also continue their relentless efforts to erode the rights of LGBTQ+ people, starting with transgender people.
Had enough? Join our friends from SC United for Justice & Equality at the United We Thrive rally on the west grounds of the Statehouse on Tuesday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring a sign, bring a friend, and help us remind lawmakers that they can’t legislate their skewed vision of morality for the rest of us.
Tuesday will be a busy day inside the Statehouse. Here are the bills and hearings to watch this week.
An even more extreme abortion ban
South Carolinians are already living under a six-week abortion ban, but some of our lawmakers want to further criminalize reproductive healthcare.
On Tuesday, April 14, at 9 a.m. in Gressette Building Room 308, the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee will consider the extreme abortion ban Senate Bill 1095.
S. 1095 would make it illegal to receive an abortion in South Carolina unless the pregnant person’s life is in danger. The bill would make it a felony to perform an abortion or provide abortion-inducing drugs, and a misdemeanor for a pregnant person to receive an abortion unless their life is in danger.
You can submit written comments to the subcommittee using this form. We’ll keep you updated on what happens next with this dangerous bill.
A bill allowing physical force against students
On Tuesday, April 14, one hour after House adjournment in Blatt Building Room 433, the House Education and Public Works Committee will hear public testimony on a bill that would authorize physical force against students in public schools. This bill is being fast-tracked, skipping the usual subcommittee hearing and going straight to committee.
House Bill 5483 would give educators, administrators, and school staff increased and vague authority to discipline students in classrooms, including the use of “reasonable physical force.”
This bill fails to clarify the extent of physical force and ignores systemic issues in communities, root causes of behavioral issues, and behavioral differences. The bill has the potential to disproportionately target students of color and disabled students, worsening existing patterns of discrimination and exclusion.
The committee is accepting spoken testimony in person and written testimony at [email protected]. You can learn more about H. 5483 on our bill page.
A symbolic attack on marriage equality
As we mentioned last week in the Dispatch, state representatives have introduced a resolution (H. 5501) asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn its own 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges and allow same-sex marriage bans like South Carolina’s to take effect again. This bill hasn’t been scheduled for a subcommittee hearing yet, but we anticipate it will soon.
This resolution is a symbolic gesture. It shows us that lawmakers currently attacking reproductive rights and trans rights are also interested in dismantling the rights of gay and lesbian South Carolinians.
Want to tell your lawmakers you oppose this resolution and the agenda it represents? Now is a good time to look up who represents you in the state House and Senate. With the new Find Your State & Local Officials tool, you can enter your address and find who represents you, along with their email address, phone number, and social media accounts.
You can also find this tool on our homepage under the Resources menu.
Reducing the harm of the anti-trans bathroom bill
As early as this Tuesday, we expect to see lawmakers debating a harmful bill targeting transgender students that would have devastating consequences for the privacy of many South Carolinians.
House Bill 4756 would require transgender students in South Carolina public K-12 schools and colleges to use restrooms and changing facilities that do not match their gender. This is a discriminatory policy that would also empower self-appointed bathroom police to question the presence of anyone whose gender expression does not conform with stereotypes.
There are currently two versions of H. 4756: The original House version and an amended version approved by the Senate. While both versions would require schools to have single-user restrooms on campus, the Senate introduced an amendment that would allow schools to install a temporary outdoor facility — in other words, a porta-potty.
Got 5 minutes for a phone call? Use this action page and we will connect you with your state House representative’s office. Ask them to not concur with the Senate’s amendments.
Neither version of H. 4756 is good for South Carolina. But when our most powerful politicians are insisting on pushing some version of the bill across the finish line, it is worthwhile to fight for the less harmful version to pass.
A day for second chances
On Wednesday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., formerly incarcerated people, their families, and community stakeholders will lift their voices in the Statehouse as part of Second Chance Day. Learn more about this event from South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and South Carolina Justice Partners:
Learn More About Second Chance Day
Second Chance Day highlights the challenges that justice-impacted South Carolinians face in obtaining employment, housing, medical care, and more. The day also points to supportive strategies for re-entry success beyond incarceration.
