The "South Carolina Parental Rights to Affirm Biological Sex in Child Welfare and Placement Act" aims to establish legal protections for parents and guardians who encourage their children to identify with their biological sex. The bill introduces Section 63-7-50 to the South Carolina Code, which defines key terms such as "affirmation of biological sex," "biological sex," and "gender confusion." It mandates that in child custody and welfare proceedings, affirming a child's biological sex is considered a positive factor, and it prohibits treating such affirmation as evidence of abuse or neglect. Additionally, it protects the rights of parents and guardians to make medical decisions aligned with their child's biological sex without facing negative repercussions in custody evaluations or foster care placements.

The bill also requires South Carolina agencies involved in child welfare to update their policies to reflect these provisions and to prioritize state standards over conflicting federal guidelines regarding gender identity. It ensures that foster parents who support a child's alignment with their biological sex are not discriminated against in the placement process. Furthermore, the Department of Social Services is tasked with submitting annual reports to the General Assembly on the implementation of these provisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to reinforce parental rights in guiding children's gender identity in alignment with their biological sex.

Statutes affected:
01/16/2025: 63-7-50
Latest Version: 63-7-50