Parental Rights

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PARENTAL RIGHTS ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59, TO AFFIRM AND ENUMERATE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THEIR CHILDREN, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT MINIMUM STANDARDS TO IMPLEMENT PARENTAL RIGHTS AND A RELATED MODEL PARENTAL RIGHTS POLICY, TO PROVIDE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES SHALL ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT RELATED POLICIES, TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR A LIMITED PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION UPON EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-5-340, RELATING TO MINOR CONSENT FOR HEALTH SERVICES, SO AS TO CLARIFY, STRENGTHEN, AND EXPAND REQUIREMENTS FOR PARENTAL CONSENT FOR NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MINORS, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS ALLEGED BY PARENTS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-350 RELATING TO FURNISHING HEALTH SERVICES TO MINORS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT; BY DESIGNATING THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59 AS "GENERAL PROVISIONS"; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-370 RELATING TO CERTAIN CONSENT NOT BEING SUBJECT TO DISAFFIRMANCE.