Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
Policy Post
Feb. 19, 2019
On the S.C. Legislative Radar
Abuse and Neglect Definition Bill Moves Forward

Last week S.79 was passed out of the Judiciary subcommittee after having been sent back from the full committee. As introduced, S.79 sets out to narrow abuse and neglect definitions so parents would not be charged when children of sufficient age and maturity – whose basic needs are met – engage in independent activities.

The committee initially added an amendment detailing age requirements for some of the specific “independent activities” listed in the bill. Further amendments removed some of those listed activities, including leaving a child unattended in a car. The second round of debate also added detailed requirements for leaving children alone at home. Specifically, the parent must come back the same day, the child needs a way to contact the parent, and a plan must be in place if any issues should arise in the parent's absence.

Kinship Care Bill Passes Out of Committee

S.191 was passed out of the Judiciary Committee and is headed to the Senate floor. As introduced, it expanded the definition of kinship care to include "fictive kin." The committee amended the definition of fictive kin to include "an emotionally significant relationship with child or the family." 

The bill prevents automatic removal from nonlicensed families, but the Department of Social Services (DSS) may still remove the child if there is imminent harm present. This bill will help provide immediate options for foster placements that can improve the transition of a child coming to foster care. Care that includes fictive kin is shown to increase stability, security and belonging for the child.

S.191 is on the calendar when the Senate reconvenes on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.

Voluntary Medical Disclosure in Adoptions Bill Progresses

S.181 was passed out of the Judiciary Committee and is headed to the Senate floor. It would create a way for biological parents to transmit their own medical history to the adoptive parents and/or to the children once they’ve turned 18. Senators adjusted requirement of “good cause” to the “best interest of the child” as the standard for disclosure of the history to parents adopting through DSS. They also eliminated the proposed role of courts as record keepers.

Similarly, the companion bill H.3131 passed out of that chamber’s Judiciary Committee and headed to the House floor. In contrast to the Senate bill, the House bill has not been amended since it was introduced.

S.181 is on the calendar when the Senate reconvenes on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.

Be There

Tuesday, Feb. 19: Senate Judiciary Committee , 11 a.m., Gressette Building, Room 105, on S.79

Tuesday, Feb. 19: Senate Finance Committee , 11 a.m., Gressette Building, Room 308, on S.318, Pay for Success
Giving a Voice to Parents Across the State
Children’s Trust has launched parent advisory councils in three regions around the state to ensure parent voices are being included in prevention and family strengthening work.

This outreach effort, which will be called Parent Matters , is taking place in Richland and Lexington counties in the Midlands as well as Oconee and Marlboro. Dana Powell, Children’s Trust parent and community engagement coordinator, is leading the parent advisory council effort. Her goal is to have 12 to 15 parents in each of the communities coming together on a regular basis to identify actions that can better engage all parents in local communities. She recently led a meeting of the Midlands group to discuss its next steps.
National Report Details Prevention Expenditures
Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan Maryland-based research center that conducts research on children, their families and their well-bring, released a report on federal, state, and local expenditures on abuse and neglect prevention. The child welfare survey found that in 2016 agencies serving children and families were less likely to focus prevention spending on substance abuse and mental health services than on other preventive services. 
 
In the report, South Carolina was singled out as having one of the largest decreases in expenditures by its child welfare agencies. According to the report, South Carolina is also among the highest in its total reliance on federal – rather than additional state and local – funds for child welfare expenditures. On the other hand, the state has seen one of the nation's largest percentage increases in temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) expenditures by child welfare agencies.
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.