AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES RIGHT TO PARENT ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 21 TO TITLE 63 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE FAMILY AND PROBATE COURTS, AMONG OTHERS, TO PROTECT THE PARENTING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY BY ESTABLISHING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND SAFEGUARDS APPLICABLE IN CHILD CUSTODY, CHILD PROTECTION, AND PROBATE GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDINGS TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE NOT DENIED THE RIGHT TO PARENT OR TO HAVE CUSTODY OF OR VISITATION WITH A CHILD BECAUSE OF THE DISABILITY; AND TO PROHIBIT CHILD PLACING AGENCIES AND ADOPTION SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM DENYING PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY THE RIGHT TO ACCESS SERVICES BECAUSE OF THE PERSON'S DISABILITY, WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-720, RELATING TO REASONABLE EFFORTS REQUIREMENTS FOR PROBABLE CAUSE HEARINGS, SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EFFORTS IF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN HAS A DISABILITY, TO INCLUDE REFERRALS FOR SERVICES PROVIDING INSTRUCTION ON ADAPTIVE PARENTING TECHNIQUES AND OTHER REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH REGARD TO ACCESSING SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-1640, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FAMILY COURT DETERMINATIONS WHETHER TO REQUIRE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE OR REUNIFY A FAMILY WHEN THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN HAS A DISABILITY, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE DISABILITY AND WAYS IN WHICH TO ACCOMMODATE THE DISABILITY TO PRESERVE OR REUNIFY THE FAMILY; TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-2570, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF A DISABILITY. - ratified title
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2017
Committee Review
Apr 2017
House Passage
Mar 2017
Senate Passage
May 2017
Signed into Law
May 2017
Introduced Jan 19, 2017
Signed May 10, 2017
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
5
Committee
4
May 10, 2017
Signed into law
Signed By Governor
legislature
May 4, 2017
Upper · Passed
Read third time and enrolled
upper
Apr 27, 2017
Upper · Passed
Committee report: Favorable General
upper
Mar 29, 2017
Committee
Referred to Committee on General
upper
Mar 29, 2017
Introduced
Introduced and read first time
upper
Mar 24, 2017
Lower · Passed
Read third time and sent to Senate
lower
Mar 22, 2017
Lower · Passed
Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
lower
Jan 19, 2017
Committee
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jan 19, 2017
Introduced
Introduced and read first time
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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