Legislative Session Week in Review: Feb. 28

February 28, 2025

Lent is officially less than a week away. As we enter this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let us reflect on the cross and its redemptive power. Our Lord shows us that we can offer even our little sufferings and crosses to him to show him our love and gratitude. No matter how small they may be, they are nothing compared Jesus' suffering. As St. Rose of Lima said, "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven."
Please join us in prayer for Pope Francis, who is recovering from pneumonia. We pray for the Holy Father and for his speedy recovery from the infection.
Next Friday, March 7, Brad K. Sigmon is scheduled to be executed by firing squad at Broad River Correctional Institution. Catholics uphold the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death. Please join us for a vigil for life on the night of the execution outside the facility, 4460 Broad River Road in Columbia. For information, contact Brian Hansen: [email protected].
This week, the legislature dealt with many important issues, including school choice, protections of minors from AI, and the protection of the preborn from abortion.
See below for the South Carolina Legislature and national updates!

Feb. 25

S. 156, Fentanyl-Induced Homicide, and S. 183, Drug Induced Homicide, passed the Senate unanimously this week and have been sent to the House of Representatives. These proposed laws will increase penalties for drug dealers, allowing them to be charged with causing the deaths of users who overdose.
In recent years, South Carolina has suffered a tremendous loss of life due to opioid overdoses. These types of deaths have skyrocketed since 2019, according to a report by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Drug dealers who demonstrate no concern or respect for human life must be held accountable. The Catholic Conference thanks Sen. Thomas Alexander, president of the Senate, and Sen. Brian Adams for sponsoring these bills. We call on the House to pass them quickly to protect the lives of South Carolina’s citizens.

Feb. 26

First — The House passed S. 62, the new school choice program by a vote of 79-38. See how your legislators voted HERE.
The House version is widely different from the version passed by the Senate. Among other things, the House voted to make the program universal beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, while continuing to give priority to low-income families and current recipients. This update would provide academic choice to all families in South Carolina. Another key difference is the scholarship amount. In the Senate version, the amount is $7,700 per pupil, whereas the House version is $6,000.
Since the chambers produced differing versions of the program, a conferencecommittee must be formed to settle the differences before sending it to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk for signature.
The South Carolina Catholic Conference thanks the House for passing this bill and especially Rep. Shannon Erickson, chairwoman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, for her leadership on this issue. We urge both chambers to work out the final version of the bill quickly and get it to the governor’s desk soon so school choice can once again be the law of the land.

Second – Catholic Women’s Day was held Wednesday amid the hustle and bustle of the school choice debate. Catholic women from around the state came to learn more about the legislature and meet with their representatives and lawmakers. The ladies were recognized on the House floor by Rep. Mark Smith and the House Catholic caucus. They also met with Rep. Shannon Erickson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to learn more about their work as Catholicwomen at the State House.
The Catholic Conference thanks all who attended the event and all who made the day possible.

Third – H. 3046, a bill dealing with AI images morphed for the sexual exploitation of minors, was found favorable by the House Judiciary committee. The bill could be debated on the House floor as early as next week.
Artificial intelligence is a threat that is disproportionately affecting young people. Malicious actors use the likeness of young people without their knowledge or consent to create images and even videos that seem to depict that young person engaging in sexually explicit or even violent acts. The videos and images have the potential to remain on the internet forever, putting a young person in jeopardy.
The Catholic Conference calls on the House to pass the bill quickly to protect children and minors from the growing danger of AI and morphed image technology.

Coming Up

The Human Life Protection Act, H. 3457, primarily sponsored by Rep. John McCravy, is scheduled to be heard in Room 110 of the Blatt Building on March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Please join us for the hearing.
The bill would protect all preborn children from abortion, with exceptions made in the case of a serious medical emergencies.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the passage of the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act of 2023, many preborn children have been spared. However, all life that is lost to abortion is a tragedy since we are all made by God, in his image and likeness. As St. Padre Pio prophetically said, “The day that people lose their horror for abortion will be the most terrible day for humanity.”
Let us continue to be beacons of hope for women facing unexpected pregnancies and helping them choose life.