On Jan. 17, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning the power of regulatory agencies to interpret law. This is a legal concept known as “Chevron deference” and gives government agencies the authority to interpret law — if Congress has not specifically addressed an issue — and enforce it according to those interpretations. If the Chevron deference is overruled, it would impact religious organizations such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, who refuse to comply on religious grounds with the government mandate to offer contraceptives within their healthcare. A ruling is expected to be handed down on this case in June.  

See more details on this week's highlights below! 

Jan 23

The Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act (H. 4159) has passed the Senate and was sent back to the House with amendment. Now, the House decides if the proposed amendment is approved. 

H. 4159 protects pro-life safeguards that stop prescriptions of abortifacient drugs via Telehealth. 

We applaud the Senate for their passage of this bill and commend Rep. Bill Herbkersman for his work on the legislation. 

 

Jan 24

First - S. 882, also known as the Prescriptions for Minors bill, has been referred to the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. 

The bill requires parents to be informed before their child is prescribed any kind of medications and would protect parental rights.  


Second - On Jan. 24, Gov. Henry McMaster gave his seventh State of the State address to the joint assembly. He discussed South Carolina’s economy, judge appointment procedures, infrastructure, environmental protection, teacher salaries and education, mental health, criminal justice reform and other important topics.  

He closed his remarks with an appeal to the General Assembly to send him a bill to sign that would increase the penalties for illegal gun possession in our state. 

In addition, he highlighted the allocation of funds from the executive budget for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, sometimes called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). The school choice program was made law in spring 2023. The governor said the executive budget “provides $30 million for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. Starting this year, these funds will allow low-income parents to choose the type of education environment and instruction that best suits their child’s unique needs.”  

Applications for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund are now open.

Click here for more information and to learn more about this program.