S 840 South Carolina Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Parental Bill of Rights

Summary
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "PARENTAL RIGHTS ACT"; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION; 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; TO REQUIRE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT RELATED POLICIES; TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A LIMITED PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION UPON EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-5-340, RELATING TO A MINOR'S CONSENT TO HEALTH SERVICES, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO A MINOR'S CONSENT TO HEALTH SERVICES, TO EXPAND REQUIREMENTS FOR PARENTAL CONSENT FOR NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MINORS, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS ALLEGED BY PARENTS; BY DESIGNATING THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59 AS "GENERAL PROVISIONS"; BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-350 RELATING TO HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO MINORS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-370 RELATING TO THE PROVISION THAT ANY CONSENT GIVEN PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISAFFIRMANCE BECAUSE OF MINORITY WHEN SUCH MINOR REACHES MAJORITY.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Jan 21, 2026
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Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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