Legislative Agenda
Take a stand in South Carolina.
Let your voice be heard.
Want to get involved? Want to get involved without running for office or spending a lot of money? Want to do something positive for your children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews? And for yourself. Get involved in the legislative process. There is a way for your voice to be heard on issues that impact you, your families, and your livelihoods. Know your State Representatives in the House. Know your State Senators.
Want an easy, how-to manual complete with sample letters, the legislative process and a map of the Statehouse grounds? The organization TellThem! has put together Advocacy 101: How to Change, Inspire and Shape Public Policy. It can be found by clicking here>>
In addition, the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) has several sample Thank you letters for representatives.
Not sure what to get involved in? Take a look at the information below and see if something you see makes you passionate enough to take action. There are a multitude of issues that impact the status of women in South Carolina. The information below is focused primarily on women's health and well-being issues as well as business. Visit the South Carolina Legislature online for a complete list and details about legislation in South Carolina.
Women's health & well-being: H 3202 and S 0266: A bill to require the department of education to develop a model dating violence policy to assist school districts in developing such policies… and requiring each school district annually to include dating violence education in its comprehensive health education curriculum.
Women's health & well-being: H 3677 and S 512: A bill to amend the code of laws of SC by enacting the Violence Against Women Federal Compliance Act. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds are in jeopardy unless SC comes into compliance with the Federal VAWA mandates. VAWA funds support critically needed services to thousands of victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. Law enforcement advocates, domestic violence and sexual assault programs, solicitors and others need these dollars for their work.
Women's health & well-being: H 3117: A bill relating to an order for protection from domestic abuse, so as to provide that the court may prohibit harm or harassment to a pet animal owned, possessed, kept or held by the petitioner. Statistics prove that women in abusive situations will not leave abusers if they have to leave their pets behind.
Women's health & well-being: Protect patient access to osteoporosis testing. Ask Congress to support the Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009. Visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation's Website. In South Carolina, ask your state representatives to support funding the SC Osteoporosis Prevention Act of 1997.
Business: The SC Chamber of Commerce has a full-time legislative team focused on issues that impact businesses and business owners in South Carolina. Check out the activity that most effectively aligns with your business objectives. Become a member of the Chamber and let your voice be heard as a woman business owner. Click here for the most recent update from the Chamber>>
Any way you decide to get involved, just get involved. Stay the course. Talk to the decision makers. Work to change the laws that don't work.
The South Carolina Women's Legislative Caucus
The South Carolina Women's Legislative Caucus researches and promotes legislation affecting South Carolina's women and families, according to Women's Caucus chair Rep. Joan Brady. The caucus, open to all legislators, recently elected new officers. Learn more>>
You Should Know
In 2002-03, 37.7% percent of all South Carolina households were headed by women with children under 18 years old.Thanks to the following organizations for their generous support and/or sponsorship:
