Write a Letter to Senate Family and Veterans' Services Child Welfare Subcommittee Members Asking them to Reject S.240

The South Carolina Senate Family and Veterans' Services Child Welfare Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday, February 13, at 10:00 AM in Gressette Room 307 to consider S240, the “Parental Rights to Affirm Biological Sex in Child Welfare and Placement Act.”

This bill seeks to amend South Carolina’s child welfare laws to mandate that affirming a child’s "biological sex"—narrowly defined based on anatomy and genetics—be considered a "positive factor" in child welfare, custody, and foster care decisions. It would also prohibit courts and agencies from recognizing a caregiver’s refusal to support a child’s gender identity as evidence of abuse, neglect, or unfit parenting.

S240 undermines best practices in child welfare by restricting the ability of courts and professionals to fully assess a child's needs, disregarding expert medical and psychological guidance on gender-affirming care. It could also open the door to conversion therapy practices, which have been widely condemned as harmful.

This hearing is a critical opportunity to oppose S240 and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being and rights of all children in South Carolina.