Fort Mill and Tega Cay families can speak directly to state legislators about issues facing children at a public hearing in Rock Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The South Carolina Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children will take testimony from 5 to 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Rock Hill City Hall, 155 Johnston St. Anyone may testify. Each speaker gets three minutes.

The bipartisan committee includes state senators, representatives, governor-appointed citizen members and representatives of state agencies that serve children and families. The committee travels the state each fall to collect testimony from young people, parents, educators, service providers and advocates, according to YoCo News.

Testimony from the hearings helps shape the committee's annual policy recommendations to Gov. Henry McMaster and the General Assembly.

The Rock Hill stop is part of a statewide tour. The committee held a hearing in Conway on Sept. 16 and has one scheduled in Greenville on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Hearings in North Charleston and Columbia are also planned through mid-October, according to the Greenville Journal.

Residents who cannot attend in person can submit written testimony through Oct. 16, according to the Greenville Journal's reporting on the fall hearing series.

Committee staff will help anyone who wants guidance preparing remarks. Questions or requests for help can be sent to Morgan Maxwell, the committee's senior resource attorney, at [email protected], or to the committee at [email protected], according to the Fort Mill Sun.

Residents who do not plan to speak are still welcome to attend and listen.

What to know

  • What: Public hearing, SC Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children
  • When: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Where: Rock Hill City Hall, City Council Chambers, 155 Johnston St.
  • Who can speak: Anyone; three minutes per speaker
  • Written testimony deadline: Oct. 16
  • Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Upcoming community events

  • Tuesday, Sept. 29: SC Committee on Children public hearing in Greenville
  • Wednesday, Oct. 7: SC Committee on Children public hearing in Rock Hill, 5 to 7 p.m., Rock Hill City Hall
  • Thursday, Oct. 29: U.S. Marine Band free concert in Clover