South Carolina General Assembly
125th Session, 2023-2024

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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

S. 349

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Matthews
Companion/Similar bill(s): 45, 4718
Document Path: SR-0195KM23.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 10, 2023
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary

Summary: Reproductive Freedom- Constitutional Ballot Question

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
1/10/2023 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 202)
1/10/2023 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 202)

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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

01/10/2023



A joint Resolution

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, BY ADDING SECTION 26, TO RECOGNIZE THAT SECTIONS 3 AND 10 OF ARTICLE I PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SHALL NOT DENY OR INTERFERE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN THEIR MOST INTIMATE DECISIONS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR BY LAW FOR THE REGULATION OF ABORTION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.    It is proposed that Article I of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

SECTION 26. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3 AND SECTION 10 OF THIS ARTICLE PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SHALL NOT DENY OR INTERFERE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL'S REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN THEIR MOST INTIMATE DECISIONS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE BY LAW FOR REGULATION OF ABORTION.

SECTION 2.   Notwithstanding any statutory provision of law to the contrary, the proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives in 2024. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed on the ballot:

   "Must Article I of the Constitution of this State, be amended by adding Section 26 so as to provide that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual's reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions and to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for regulation of abortion?"

Yes      o

No      o

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

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This web page was last updated on January 11, 2024 at 5:07 PM