Children's Trust Policy Post
May 6, 2014
Support and Testimony is Needed for Child Passenger Legislation
Hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, in room 433 of the Blatt Building
 On Wednesday, May 7, the House Education Committee will consider H. 5004, sponsored by Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort.  This important child safety legislation updates South Carolina child passenger safety law to meet the most current child passenger restraint recommendations supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
 


Motor vehicle deaths are the highest cause of childhood injury and fatality in South Carolina.  More children die in motor vehicle crashes in South Carolina than their peers across the country. South Carolina lags behind North Carolina, Georgia and 27 other states that already require booster seats for children up to age 7.

If children are in the back seat and in size-appropriate car and booster seats, the risk of  serious and fatal injuries is reduced by more than half. 

Key initiatives in the bill:
  • Children less than 2 years old would be rear-facing in the back seat.  Current law only requires rear-facing until the age of 1.
  • Children less than 8 years old would be forward-facing in a booster seat in the back seat.  Current law requires back seat booster seats to the age of 6 years old. 
  • Children less than 13 years old would wear a seat belt in the back seat.  Currently children who are 6 and older are allowed to ride in the front seat.   
Learn more
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Child Well-Being Legislation Remains Active
May 1 Crossover Deadline Indicates Bills Eligible for Passage
As Senate and House rules dictate, a bill that begins in one chamber must move from one to the other, or "crossover," by May 1 to be eligible for passage during that session. Legislation that doesn't crossover requires a two-thirds vote of the body to take up the bill. In addition, this is the 2nd part of a two year session.  Any bill not passed by the end of the session dies and must start the process over in January.

 

The following child well-being legislation remains alive:
  •  H. 4061 provides age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education for students 4k-12th grade. This bill is now in Senate Education.
  • H. 3532 creates a study committee to review child care regulations, including those with four-hour exemption and summer and recreation camps. This bill is now in Senate Judiciary.
  • H. 3024 expands the list of mandated child abuse reporters. This bill is in Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
  • H. 3124 prohibits firing or disciplining an employee who is mandated reporter from reporting suspected case. The House made minor amendments and has returned it to the Senate.
  • H. 4008 adds members to the state Child Fatality Advisory Committee. This bill is in Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
  • S. 459 prohibits individuals with a beginners permit from using a wireless electronic communication device while driving. This bill is in House Education and Public Works subcommittee.
  • H. 3428 reauthorizes First Steps to School Readiness. This bill is on the Senate floor. 
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Budget Work Continues
Senate Finance Committee finished deliberations on the FY 2014-2015 state budget.  Substantial changes were made to the House version,  including an increase in 4-K funding. At this point, no budget amounts are final.  The budget bill (H. 4071) will be ready for Senate debate today.  Floor debate is expected for the next two weeks before moving to a conference committee of House and Senate members. A budget must be passed before the end of the session on June 5 or members will have to return to pass it before the beginning of the state fiscal year, July 1.
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Children's Bureau is Seeking Comments on Indicators and Methods Used to Review State's Child and Family Services
The Children's Bureau reviews a state's substantial conformity with titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act through the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). Statewide data indicators are used to inform the Children's Bureau's determination of a state's substantial conformity relative to certain safety and permanency outcomes. The Children's Bureau's plans to replace the statewide data indicators and the methods for calculating associated national standards on those indicators. The public is invited to comment on these indicators and methods to be used in the CFSRs scheduled for Federal Fiscal Years 2015 through FY 2018.

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Child Welfare News from Around the Country
Officials at the Georgia Department of Human Services announced that two regions will test a public-private partnership to run Georgia's foster care system. The regions span 20 counties in central, northeastern and northwestern Georgia.
 
Senate Bill 394 would give foster parents greater say in child welfare cases involving children under their care. The bill passed the Kansas Senate 34-3, but one senator worries the bill would give foster parents rights in child welfare cases at the expense of grandparents.

On April 8, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to ban the sale of crib bumper pads. The bill was created in response to American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations indicating bumper pads are not safe for children, can cause suffocation or strangulation and have not been proven to prevent injury. The bill is currently waiting to be heard in the Illinois Senate.
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Policy Post is published by Children's Trust of South Carolina.

We invite you to join with us to strengthen and support public and private prevention efforts that keep South Carolina's children safe.