Child Welfare

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PARENTAL RIGHTS TO AFFIRM BIOLOGICAL SEX IN CHILD WELFARE AND PLACEMENT ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 63-7-50 SO AS TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO IDENTIFY WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX BY REQUIRING COURTS AND AGENCIES TO CONSIDER A CHILD'S BIOLOGICAL SEX AS A POSITIVE FACTOR IN CHILD WELFARE PROCEEDINGS; TO PROVIDE THAT PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENCOURAGE A CHILD TO ALIGN WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX, INCLUDING IN MAKING MEDICAL DECISIONS, AND TO OFFER PROTECTIONS FOR EXERCISING THIS RIGHT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND FAMILY COURT SYSTEM TO DEVELOP POLICIES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.