Parental Bill of Rights

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "PARENTAL RIGHTS ACT"; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION; TO AFFIRM AND ENUMERATE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THEIR CHILDREN;

TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT MINIMUM STANDARDS TO IMPLEMENT PARENTAL RIGHTS; TO REQUIRE LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT RELATED POLICIES; TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS;

AND TO PROVIDE FOR A LIMITED PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION UPON EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-5-340, RELATING TO A MINOR'S CONSENT TO HEALTH SERVICES, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO A MINOR'S CONSENT TO HEALTH SERVICES, TO EXPAND REQUIREMENTS FOR PARENTAL CONSENT FOR NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MINORS, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS ALLEGED BY PARENTS; BY DESIGNATING THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 28, TITLE 59 AS "GENERAL PROVISIONS";

BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-350 RELATING TO HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED TO MINORS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-370 RELATING TO THE PROVISION THAT ANY CONSENT GIVEN PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISAFFIRMANCE BECAUSE OF MINORITY WHEN SUCH MINOR REACHES MAJORITY.