Updates from Rep. Bill Herbkersman

“SCDHHS applauds Rep. Herbkersman for supporting this important public health initiative that will support strong family foundations by providing additional resources for new mothers. The amendment introduced by Rep. Herbkersman aligns with the Healthy Connections Community Engagement Initiative SCDHHS pursued in 2019. Extending postpartum coverage to one-year postpartum will help improve health outcomes for new mothers as a majority of pregnancy-associated deaths occur more than 60 days after delivery and will remove a disincentive to new mothers returning to work."

"The 2021 regular legislative session ended this week. As this was the first year in a two-year session, bills that failed to pass both chambers are on hold until next January when session resumes, generally speaking. However, this does not mean the Legislature is finished meeting for the year."

South Carolina has a new online home for hurricane preparedness. Visit hurricane.sc to know your hurricane evacuation zone and to get started on your hurricane safety plan. Find all of the information in the official South Carolina Hurricane Guide and more at hurricane.sc whenever you need a quick, online resource to prepare for a hurricane in the Palmetto State.

Allowing persons to carry a handgun without a permit, Diverting gas tax dollars to pay local officials, Election law challenges and appointments + more.

The SC Fetal Heartbeat Protection from Abortion Act would ban abortions in the state once a heartbeat is detected (usually occurring around six to eight weeks into a woman’s pregnancy). The four exceptions to the ban are: in the case of rape, incest, a fetal anomaly, or if the mother’s life is threatened by her pregnancy.

"Waiting any longer will only add to the suffering that is experienced by those who are plagued with debilitating illnesses. Passing this legislation is long overdue."