Let’s start with some good news from the last week in the South Carolina Statehouse: A bill to address our state’s home eviction crisis is moving forward.
A subcommittee gave a unanimous favorable report on House Bill 4270, which would remove eviction filings from public court records after a period of 6 years. This bill has a long way to go. If you would like to find ways to push for housing justice in our state, check out the work of the South Carolina Tenant Union.
Here are some opportunities to show up, write in, and speak out for civil liberties in the coming week.
Forcing local cops to do ICE’s dirty work
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has routinely violated human and civil rights since its creation in 2003, and it has only ramped up its cruelty as an enforcement arm for the second Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m., the House AI, Cybersecurity & Special Laws Subcommittee will consider a bill that would force many local law enforcement agencies to carry out White House advisor Stephen Miller’s racist agenda. The subcommittee will meet in Room 110 of the Blatt Legislative Building.
House Bill 4764 would require every law enforcement agency that operates a correctional facility to enter a written collaboration agreement with ICE through its 287(g) program. The track record of these agreements is clear: They lead to increased racial profiling and decreased public trust in law enforcement, with no improvement in public safety.
Arrive early if you would like to give spoken comments on the bill. You can submit written comments to [email protected]
Anti-trans adoption and foster policies
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9 a.m., the Senate Child Welfare Subcommittee will meet in Gressette Building Room 308 to consider a bill that endangers transgender children in the adoption and fostering system.
Senate Bill 540 bill would change child welfare laws to say that forcing trans children to undergo scientifically discredited “conversion therapy” is not abuse. It would also allow state-supported foster and adoption agencies to place trans children in the care of adults who refuse to provide gender-affirming care.
Arrive early to sign up for public comments, which will be limited to 3 minutes per speaker. You can submit written comments to [email protected] until Feb. 17 at 9 a.m.
(Another) anti-trans school bathroom ban
The State House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 4756, which would require transgender students in South Carolina public schools and universities to use restrooms and changing facilities that do not match their gender. The Senate is advancing its own similar bill, Senate Bill 199. The Senate Education Subcommittee will consider this bill on Wednesday, February 18, at 9 a.m. in Gressette Building Room 105.
Bills like S. 199 and H. 4756 would harm all people, trans or not, who do not fit gender stereotypes. Under the new regime of suspicion created by this bill, they would face the threat of being misgendered and harassed in restrooms or changing facilities.
Arrive early to sign up for public comments. You can submit written comments to [email protected] until Feb. 17 at 12 p.m.
Protecting pregnant people in prisons
On Thursday, Feb. 9, at 9 a.m. in Gressette Building Room 209, the Senate Corrections Subcommittee will consider a bill that would help protect the wellness of pregnant people when they enter the carceral system — and the wellness of their newborn children.
Under the policy proposed in Senate Bill 385, if a person informs medical staff upon entering a jail or prison that they are pregnant and then test positive on a pregnancy test, they would be eligible for release on bail for the duration of the pregnancy and 12 weeks after the birth of a child. Pregnant people would only be eligible if they are deemed not to be a threat to themselves or others.
Arrive early to sign up for spoken public comments. You can also submit written testimony in support of S. 385 to [email protected]
