The current session of the General Assembly began about one month ago, and things are...happening. So, we are trying something new—a weekly roundup of civil liberties news from the State House and resources to help you understand the issues and then take action.
Abortion Is Healthcare
This week, lawmakers advanced near total abortion bans in the House and Senate. They're moving quickly and not taking public testimony, citing the fact that they heard feedback last year. Just like we said last year—abortion is healthcare and abortion is our right.
Presently, abortion remains legal until 20 weeks. In fact, just last month the SC Supreme Court ruled that the 6-week abortion ban was unconstitutional in the case brought by Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. This week, the court denied the state's petition to rehear the case. SC Attorney General Alan Wilson said, "This issue is now in the legislature's hands." Safe to say the General Assembly got the memo.
What to do about it: Our partners at WREN have made it easy for you to contact your legislator and tell them you don't want abortion bans in South Carolina.
Classroom Censorship In The House
Lawmakers are hard at work on the urgent task of making sure teachers are censored and burdened with complaints and investigations in the middle of a teacher shortage, also known as H. 3728. Because it always bears repeating: when the subcommittee heard testimony on this bill a few weeks ago, they gave the public about 24 hours' notice (we have thoughts on that, too); people came from across the state and stood up for teachers and students. We know it takes time, effort, and guts to show up, and we appreciate it.
Right now: On Wednesday, this bill went to the House floor for debate. After many, many hours of debate and squashed attempts at making the bill less harmful, the House passed it.
Read the statement on the bill's passage from SC Free Speech Advocates here.
What to do about it: Tell your Representative how you feel about classroom censorship, burdening overworked teachers with often unfounded complaints, and their efforts to discourage the teaching of our whole histories, particularly as it relates to Black history (and during Black History Month, no less).
No to Classroom Censorship
Secrecy for Lethal Injection Drug Makers
If you're wondering if the State Senate cares about your privacy, the answer is yes—if you manufacture the drugs used in lethal injections. S. 120 is being referred to in the media as a Shield Law- usually this term is something that protects journalists, but in this case the name means that it would keep the entities involved in manufacturing the drugs used in lethal injection a secret. For the record—capital punishment in America is a broken process, period. We know it, lawmakers know it, and drug manufacturers do too—hence why they only want to sell the drugs to the state confidentially.
This week: The bill will likely move to the Senate floor this week for debate.
What to do next: If this is all news to you, start here with this article from WLTX. Then, take action and tell your Senator that we need transparency, not secrecy.
Some Good News: Eviction Right to Counsel
Contrary to how the news can feel, not everything is an all-out assault on our liberties. Sometimes, we get an opportunity to advocate in support of measures that would expand liberties, increase access to justice, and generally make South Carolina a more just place to live. Enter: Eviction Right to Counsel.
Right now: This bill was filed last week. In short, it would guarantee that renters in eviction proceedings who make less than 125% of the federal poverty line would be provided legal counsel. Without counsel, families are left to face the life-altering process of eviction on their own.
What to do next: To learn more about what eviction right to counsel would do for renters, landlords, and communities as a whole, start here. Executive Director Jace Woodrum's column is a helpful primer on eviction right to counsel and a reminder that there's more to our justice system than the Murdaugh trial.