This week, the S.C. House is scheduled to debate S. 120: nondisclosure for firing squad and lethal injections.

Yesterday, the S.C. House Judiciary Committee passed S.120: lethal injection secrecy, by a 14-5 vote. The House is set to take the bill up for debate soon.

Two weeks ago, the South Carolina House passed H. 3774: the Human Life Protection Act, by a supermajority 83-31 vote. This was a tremendous victory, as H. 3774 significantly reduces abortion in our state while protecting the lives of all mothers.

South Carolina Catholic Conference director, Michael F. Acquilano, released the following statement regarding the S.C. House's passage of HJR. 3591: The Catholic Conference thanks members of the S.C. House for their deliberate work to repeal the Blaine Amendment from our state's constitution.

Tomorrow, the Senate Labor, Industry and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a second hearing to discuss S. 518: predatory lending. Taking advantage of the financial distress of vulnerable people and communities has a long history.

This week, the South Carolina House will vote on H. 3591: the repeal of the Blaine Amendment. The Blaine Amendment (Section 4, Article XI of the state constitution) was designed and implemented by some of the most infamous racists in our state’s history.

South Carolina Catholic Conference director, Michael Acquilano, released the following statement regarding the S.C. Senate's passage of S.120: "The Catholic Conference is deeply disturbed by the Senate's passage of S. 120 yesterday — a bill which removes all state licensing processes and conditions for drugs intended for the use of capital punishment.

Today, by a supermajority vote of 77-31, the S.C. House of Representatives passed H. 3774: the Human Life Protection Act, upon third reading to restore legal protection to unborn children. 

On Thursday, the House Constitutional Laws Subcommittee will meet to discuss H. 3558, which would repeal the Blaine Amendment from our state constitution.

According to the 2022 South Carolina Human Trafficking Annual Report, Greenville, Charleston, Richland, Horry, and Spartanburg counties are where the most human trafficking cases are being reported.

The Post & Courier recently published a letter from Timothy Hayes, president of Cristo Rey Charleston. Cristo Rey is a network of Catholic schools dedicated to serving students with limited economic resources across the country. Hayes was responding to the newspaper's Jan. 22 editorial criticizing school choice initiatives.

Gov. Henry McMaster delivered his sixth State of the State address on Wednesday evening. In his speech, the governor highlighted the prosperous growth of South Carolina and charged the General Assembly to continue to work for the common good.

Tomorrow, the House Judiciary Special Laws subcommittee will meet to discuss House Bill 3774: the Human Life Protection Act, a bill that significantly limits abortion and protects the lives of mothers.

National School Choice Week 2023 is Jan. 22-28. It is a time to inform, inspire and empower parents to discover the K-12 education options available for their children, while spreading public awareness of the importance and benefits of school choice.  

Today, by a 3-2 split decision, the S.C. State Supreme Court overruled the state's Heartbeat Law that was signed by Gov. Henry McMaster in February of 2021. The law prohibited abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat in the womb, or six weeks after conception.

The beginning of the year marks the start of a new legislative session in the Palmetto State. We are thankful that the S.C. General Assembly has already prioritized school choice and other education initiatives in the first week of 2023.

The S.C. Catholic Conference wishes you and your loved ones a happy New Year! We hope this year is filled with joy and renewal for you and your family.

On Jan. 5, the S.C. Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of the state's capital punishment law. The ruling will determine the fate of Richard Moore, a man sentenced to death in 2001 after being convicted of robbery and murder.

With much joy and gratitude in this season of Advent, we thank God for another successful year of promoting and advancing Catholic legislation in South Carolina.

The Diocese of Charleston presented its oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Dec. 7 for the Bishop of Charleston v. Adams lawsuit.