South Carolina Senate Advances CARE Act for Pregnant Individuals

**TL;DR** The South Carolina Senate approved the CARE Act on April 16, allowing pregnant individuals convicted of non-violent crimes to defer prison sentences until after childbirth. This legislation seeks to improve maternal and infant health outcomes while fostering rare bipartisan consensus.

The CARE Act grants judges discretion to delay incarceration for pregnant women involved in non-violent offenses. This deferral applies when they pose no danger to themselves or the community. During this period, individuals receive pre-incarceration probation, access prenatal and postpartum care, and see fines and fees waived. The deferment lasts through pregnancy and continues for a minimum of 12 weeks, up to one year, after birth. Should a miscarriage or pregnancy termination occur, the individual must report to jail or prison within three days to begin their sentence.

The South Carolina Senate passed the CARE Act with a 31-3 vote on April 16. This significant margin signals broad legislative support for the measure. The bill also garnered rare bipartisan backing, as Hayden Laye of Pro-Life Greenville noted. Laye specifically praised the cooperation with organizations like the ACLU of South Carolina and WREN on this legislation.

Proponents of the CARE Act highlight its potential impact on public health. Senator Tameika Isaac Devine stated the bill will improve both maternal and infant health outcomes, addressing concerns about adverse birth experiences in correctional settings. The measure mandates prenatal and postpartum care, aiming to support the well-being of both parent and child. This legislative effort marks a convergence of groups often at odds, uniting on an issue focused on health and dignity for pregnant individuals within the justice system.

The CARE Act now moves to the South Carolina House of Representatives for further consideration. Its journey through the House will determine if this bipartisan initiative becomes law.