Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
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Senate to Debate Abuse and Neglect Definitions
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The Senate will debate a bill this week modifying abuse and neglect definitions in order to protect responsible parents who allow their children to engage in appropriate, independent activities.
S.79
narrows those abuse and neglect definitions so parents will not be charged when children of sufficient age and maturity – whose basic needs are met – engage in independent activities. The bill continues to
draw media attention
.
Initially, the bill contained a list of specific allowable activities. This spurred amendments that detailed children’s ages, which could have limited the discretion of case workers and courts. Ultimately, portions of the list (and the corresponding age limits) were amended or removed. More detailed – but not age-specific – requirements for leaving children alone at home were added. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the amended bill, sending it to the full Senate.
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On the S.C. Legislative Radar
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Expanding the Kinship Care Definition
S.191
expands the definition of kinship care to include "fictive kin," or those with an emotionally significant relationship with child or the family. It prevents automatic removal from nonlicensed families, but DSS may still remove the child if there is imminent harm present. It also aims to provide funds and services for fictive kin and kinship care families ahead of final completion of their licensing requirements. The bill was passed by the Senate.
Extending Safe Haven Threshold to One Year
Laws providing safe places for parents to relinquish newborn infants aim to prevent these babies from being abandoned at locations where they may come to harm. South Carolina's Safe Haven law, known as
Daniel's Law
, affords parents protection from prosecution. It also requires all hospitals, emergency medical services, centers of worship, fire stations, and law enforcement facilities to accept these infants. Four children came into Department of Social Services (DSS) care through Daniel's Law in 2018. South Carolina's law allows surrender of an infant up to 60 days, and
H.3294
would extend this to a full year. Only one other state allows surrenders up to one year. The bill passed subcommittee and now heads to the House Judiciary Committee.
The Safe Haven Bill is on the agenda of the
House Judiciary Committee
for Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2:30 p.m., Blatt Building, Room 516.
Criminal Sentencing Reform Could Impact Sex Offenders
H.3322
is a far-reaching reform of criminal sentencing that aims to reduce the use of mandatory minimum sentences in South Carolina. While lawmakers described the bill as targeted to increasing judges’ sentencing discretion in cases with “victimless crimes,” the bill as filed could also weaken sentences for convicted felons who have repeatedly failed to register as criminal sex offenders. Following a lengthy debate, the House Judiciary Committee’s Criminal Laws Subcommittee carried the bill over in order to work on amendments. Members of
law enforcement, crime victims and their families told lawmakers
that their proposal to reform South Carolina’s prison system needs more work.
Proposal Runs Pay for Success Payments Through New Fund
Pay for success agreements occur when the state contracts with a private-sector organization to achieve specifically-defined measurable outcomes for a given population over a certain period. The state pays only to the extent that the desired outcomes are achieved as determined by an independent assessor. Initial funding comes from a donor or private financier.
An example in South Carolina is the
Nurse-Family Partnership Pay for Success Project,
which aims to improve the health and well-being of low-income, first-time parents and children through evidence-based home visits. Children’s Trust is the fiscal agent, holding and disbursing philanthropic funds and success payments. While there are private funders at the table, federal investments will ultimately fund this work if targets are met.
S.318
establishes a new fund at the state level, administered by the state treasurer, for such contracts. Nothing in current law forbids agencies from entering into such contracts now, and passage of the bill would not require all future contracts be run through the proposed fund. The Senate Finance Committee passed the bill to the floor after transferring reporting requirements intended for the state treasurer to the Board of Economic Advisors.
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Families Growing Stronger in the Lowcountry
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A recent story in the
Summerville Journal Scene
highlights the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) administered by our new partners, Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission and the
Carolina Teen Center,
for 12 families this winter.
Children's Trust supplies funding and support for partners in 27 counties around the state for evidence-based SFP, which works closely with families with children ages 6 to 11 to develop positive discipline practices, stay resilient in tough times, reduce conflict, improve parenting skills, and assist children with social skills, relationships, and school performance. The S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services teamed with Children's Trust to fund two 14-week cycles of the program in Dorchester County.
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Poverty Guidelines Updated by Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued its annual
updated poverty thresholds
, based on data from the Census Bureau. These poverty guidelines are a simplification of the poverty thresholds for administrative purposes, such as determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school lunches.
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Policy Post is published by Children's Trust of South Carolina.
Children’s Trust of South Carolina is the statewide organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. We provide funding, resources and training to help local program partners build strong families and positive childhoods. Children’s Trust leads the state’s coordinated efforts for the Strengthening Families Program; Triple P (Positive Parenting Program); S.C. Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative; Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Child Abuse Prevention Month; Child Well-Being Coalition; and KIDS COUNT.
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