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S. 1038
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Massey
Document Path: LC-0547SA26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on March 19, 2026
Introduced in the House on April 22, 2026
Last Amended on May 13, 2026
Passed by the General Assembly on May 14, 2026
Summary: Religious Liberty Day
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
| Date | Body | Action Description with journal page number |
|---|---|---|
| 3/19/2026 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5) |
| 3/19/2026 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 5) |
| 4/1/2026 | Senate | Recalled from Committee on Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 8) |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 67) |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-45 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 67) |
| 4/16/2026 | Senate | Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 11) |
| 4/22/2026 | House | Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 17) |
| 4/22/2026 | House | Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 17) |
| 5/6/2026 | House | Committee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 9) |
| 5/7/2026 | House | Debate adjourned (House Journal-page 89) |
| 5/12/2026 | House | Debate adjourned (House Journal-page 76) |
| 5/13/2026 | House | Amended (House Journal-page 29) |
| 5/13/2026 | House | Read second time (House Journal-page 29) |
| 5/13/2026 | House | Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 31) |
| 5/14/2026 | House | Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments (House Journal-page 6) |
| 5/14/2026 | Senate | Concurred in House amendment and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 17) |
| 5/15/2026 | Ratified R 244 | |
| 5/18/2026 | Signed By Governor |
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
3/19/2026
4/1/2026
5/6/2026
5/13/2026
(R244, S1038)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-340 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH OF EACH YEAR AS "RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, religious liberty is a God-given right and one of the foundational principles upon which both the United States and the State of South Carolina were established; and
Whereas, the Constitution of South Carolina of 1790 declared that the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship shall forever be allowed in this State, without discrimination or preference; and
Whereas, our rights do not come from government, but are God-given, and government's duty is to protect them; and
Whereas, on January 15, 2025, representatives of many faiths joined together for the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference for the purpose of celebrating and promoting the Palmetto State's historic and contemporary embrace of the freedom of religion and conscience; and
Whereas, the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference was hosted by the University of South Carolina's Rice School of Law; and
Whereas, on January 8, 2026, the Second Annual South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference was convened in the chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives, which continued the multifaith discussion on the importance of religious liberty in our State and nation; and
Whereas, in addition to legal scholars and elected officials, presenters at the South Carolina Religious Liberty Conferences have included representatives of many various faiths; and
Whereas, by acclamation of the participants in the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, it was resolved to promote contemporary support for the principles of religious liberty by petitioning the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize South Carolina's unique history in promoting and safeguarding the members of a free society's right to worship when, where, and how their conscience may dictate, as first guaranteed by the South Carolina Constitution; and
Whereas, this daring and historic masterpiece is a source of pride for all South Carolinians and a reason for all of our citizens to embrace, support, and celebrate our state's legacy and leadership in the promotion of religious liberty; and
Whereas, as the result of the inaugural South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, and the resolution and recommendation thereof, the South Carolina House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 4036, formally declaring March 1, 2025, as "South Carolina, First in Religious Liberty Day"; and
Whereas, by acclamation of the participants in the Second Annual South Carolina Religious Liberty Conference, it was resolved to expand upon House Resolution 4036 by petitioning the South Carolina General Assembly to recognize and honor South Carolina's unique history in promoting and safeguarding the members of a free society's right to worship when, where, and how their conscience may dictate, as continuously guaranteed by the state constitution, by enacting in permanent law that the first day of March of each year be designated as "Religious Liberty Day" in South Carolina; and
Whereas, while South Carolina has been a beacon of religious liberty, its history also includes periods where the ideals of freedom were not fully realized. Let us honor South Carolina's contributions to the cause of religious liberty while committing ourselves to continue to learn from the lessons of our past and ensure these sacred freedoms extend to all. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Religious Liberty Day
SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Section 53-3-340. The first day of March of each year is designated as "Religious Liberty Day" in South Carolina.
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 15th day of May, 2026.
Approved the _____________ day of _________________________________________2026.
This web page was last updated on May 15, 2026 at 5:11 PM