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TO AMEND SECTION 44-63-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DUTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO ESTABLISH A BUREAU FOR THE REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF BIRTHS AND OTHER VITAL STATISTICS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE THE REGISTRATION OF BOTH SPOUSES OF A SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AS THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 44-63-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 44-63-20. (A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall establish a bureau of vital statistics and provide an adequate system for the registration and certification of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces by formulating, promulgating, and enforcing regulations prescribing the method and form of making the registration and certification.
(B) In carrying out the duties provided for in subsection (A), the department shall ensure, in the case of a same-sex marriage entered into in South Carolina or another state, each spouse may be registered as a parent of the child and have all rights and responsibilities afforded parents with respect to their children."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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