Bill > S0840

This bill, titled the "Parental Rights Act," establishes and affirms fundamental rights for parents in South Carolina concerning their children's upbringing, education, healthcare, and general welfare, asserting that these rights are exclusive to parents and should not be obstructed by the state. It mandates that the State Board of Education create minimum standards for implementing these parental rights, and that Local Education Agencies (LEAs), which are local school districts or similar entities, must develop and enact their own policies to comply, including procedures for parents to review curriculum and teacher materials, be notified of certain school activities, and withdraw their children from instruction they deem harmful. The bill also outlines administrative procedures for parents to report alleged violations of these rights, first to the LEA and then to the State Board of Education, with the option to pursue a private lawsuit in court only after exhausting these administrative remedies. Additionally, it amends existing law regarding a minor's consent to health services, generally requiring parental consent for non-emergency medical treatment for minors, with specific exceptions for emergencies and certain other situations, and repeals previous laws that allowed minors to consent to health services without parental permission under certain circumstances. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0840&session=126&summary=B