I wanted you to know that the focus in the House this week was on child safety.
After years of trying to get a bill outlawing child luring passed, it was a great victory for child safety for my bill, H.4825, to pass the House unanimously 113 to 0 on Tuesday.
My thanks for the overwhelming support from my colleagues and for the grassroots support that generated over 17,000 petition signatures in support of this important legislation that will help protect the young from luring and kidnapping.
On Wednesday, we achieved a significant milestone with the passage of the “SC Social Media Regulation Act.” I was glad to support this vital piece of legislation that gives us more control over our children's use of social media. By mandating age verification and requiring parental consent for minors’ accounts, we’re taking proactive steps to shield our youth from potentially harmful online content.
Similarly, we passed the “Child Online Safety Act.” This legislation will protect our children from inappropriate online content, particularly pornographic material. I’m proud to have voted for a law that places a crucial responsibility on commercial entities to implement robust age verification methods, ensuring a safer online environment for children.
The "SC Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act," which I cosponsored, passed the House and Senate on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. McMaster for his signature. This bill will improve access to healthcare services for all South Carolinians, especially those in remote or underserved areas, and ensure telehealth services are provided within the same rigorous standards as in-person care.
On Wednesday, Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, and I met with Georgetown County Library Director Dwight McInvaill and members of the Friends of the Georgetown Library -- Bob Willey, Jackie Hoelscher, Rachael Jobin, Vennie Deas Moore, and Pam Toemmes – to discuss statewide public library funding.
I welcome visits to my office in the State House and to attend House sessions and committee meetings. We’re usually in session Tuesday through Thursday. Groups are welcome. Please contact me to schedule a visit.
I’m honored to represent District 108 in the House. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt