SCBaptist LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Today is the first day of the 2025 Legislative Session.  This two-year cycle requires all bills to start fresh, and lawmakers pre-filed most of them in December.  The first week will feature press conferences, bills being read across the desk and assigned to committees, and lawmakers settling in for the session. You can see the text of all the bills that were pre-filed in December by using the link below.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sessphp/prefl25.php.

The House Family Caucus, led by Rep. John McCravy, will work to get the Human Life Protection Act (H3457) passed in the House.  This bill goes beyond the Heartbeat Bill in that the text would “prohibit all abortions in the state of South Carolina, with the exception of medical emergencies.”  This bill passed the House twice in the 2023 session but failed to pass in the Senate.  You can read the text of the bill here https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3457.htm. 

The leadership assigned the bill to the House Judiciary Committee.  If H3457 passes the House, it should have a much better chance of passing in the Senate. Three Senators who worked to block the Human Life Protection Act lost their seats and four Pro-Life Senators won seats in the November election. 

Another priority for 2025 will be parental rights.  South Carolina Baptists passed a resolution at the Convention in November concerning the importance of the role of parents in raising their children and encouraging lawmakers to pass legislation protecting parental rights and authority.  The Legislature will address parental rights in two separate bills.  H3011 is the Parental Rights in Education bill.  It will ensure the rights of parents to be informed and in control concerning all decisions related to their children’s education.  You can read the text of the bill here: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3011.htm

H3638 concerning parental rights will protect parents “fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children and to ensure these rights extend to their healthcare.”  You can read the text of the bill here: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3638.htm.

Besides supporting these bills, I will work with like-minded lawmakers to, once again, stop the legalization of medical marijuana and push back against bills promoting gambling.  Please watch for Action Alerts that will give you important information about contacting your state legislator.  You can find and communicate with your legislator by going to www.scstatehouse.gov and by downloading the SC Legislature App from the App Store on your phone, computer, or tablet.  You can find information about the House Family Caucus and its members’ work here: https://www.scfamilycaucus.com/about.

You can find information about the devastating effects of marijuana here: www.keepsc.org.  As always, please pray for your Legislator, encourage them, and make sure they know where you stand on the issues.  Your calls and emails to your state legislator make a difference!

He must increase, I must decrease,

Dr. Tony Beam

Policy Consultant

SCBaptist