The South Carolina House of Representatives held a significant meeting on April 24, 2025, focusing on children's issues and the work of the Committee on Children. This committee, unique in its comprehensive approach to children's needs, presented its annual report, which highlights critical challenges faced by children in educational settings.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the committee is the only one in South Carolina dedicated to researching and reporting on children's issues. The report is based on public testimony gathered during fall hearings across the state, where agency members engage with constituents to understand pressing concerns.

One of the key topics discussed was the need for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists in classrooms. A bill currently under consideration aims to address this need, which could lead to significant improvements in educational environments for children requiring specialized support.

Another pressing issue raised was the alarming rates of preschool suspensions. Data revealed that 6,658 children aged three and four received at least one out-of-school suspension, with 270 preschoolers facing in-school suspensions. Since the statewide expansion of the 4K program, suspension rates have increased from 30 to 50 incidents per 1,000 students. The committee plans to tackle this issue by enhancing training for preschool educators and revising the code of conduct to ensure it is age-appropriate.

Additionally, the committee discussed legislation concerning GPS monitoring for second-degree offenders, noting that current laws do not require such measures for these individuals, unlike first and third-degree offenders.

The Committee on Children has filed and endorsed several bills addressing these issues, many of which are still progressing through the legislative process. The committee expressed its commitment to working collaboratively with the General Assembly to educate, prepare, and protect the state's children.