Although the 2010 Legislative Session was lackluster in some respects, it did not lack in drama and activity. Family-friendly laws that passed include preventing religious discrimination in schools, several restrictions on sexual offenders, and increasing the waiting period before having an abortion.
Joe MackStudents may now submit class work and homework that includes religious expression without discrimination or comments from teachers or administrators. The law further states that students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “See You at the Pole” gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities and groups.
Students received one more protection concerning school officials. This legislation makes it a criminal offense for a school employee to engage in any type of sexual activity with a student. Another bill requires social networking websites like Facebook to drop accounts of registered sex offenders, while a third bill stops local governments from changing the state restrictions about offenders’ residential boundaries.
After much prolonged debate in the Senate and several Conference Committee meetings, the legislation to extend the abortion reflection period from one hour to 24 hours made it into law. This change means that a woman must receive factual information regarding all aspects of pregnancy, methods and risks of abortion, and information about resources for a free ultrasound. After reviewing all information, the woman must provide a patient statement to the abortionist before beginning the procedure (time imprinted 24 hours prior). All material is available on the Department of Health and Environmental Control website.
Bills that died at the end of the session include eliminating common law marriage, allowing home-schooled students to play sports with public schools, and protection for all infants born alive.
Gambling proponents worked diligently on many issues: video poker, raffles, and bingo for nonprofit organizations. With more than 34,000 registered nonprofits in our state (including country clubs and your local elementary PTA), it is hard for me to understand how anyone would want to actually teach our children that gambling is an easy way to solicit money. Gambling will be a huge issue in the upcoming session.
Please continue to pray about the direction our lawmakers take in shaping cultural and societal norms. In this election year, I encourage you to talk to the candidates to learn about their convictions and their political goals. Thank you for all you do to keep South Carolina family-friendly.