Bill > H3277

This bill establishes new restrictions and requirements for sex offenders regarding their interactions with minor children in South Carolina. Starting January 1, 2026, individuals convicted of offenses requiring sex offender registration will be automatically prohibited from having contact with children under 18. To potentially lift this restriction, offenders must successfully complete at least six months of specialized cognitive behavioral and psychotherapy treatment and receive a forensic psychologist's declaration that their sexual deviancy is in remission. The bill mandates that offenders cannot have unsupervised or custodial visitation with minor children while under these restrictions. Additionally, offenders must report the names and addresses of their minor children to the court, and the circuit solicitor is required to send information to the non-offending parent about legal rights and strategies to protect children from the offending parent. Before any contact with children can be permitted, the court must ensure a safety plan is in place following U.S. Justice Department guidelines, with supervised and clinically overseen visitation to protect the child's mental and physical well-being. The law aims to prioritize child safety by creating comprehensive protective measures for children of registered sex offenders.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3277&session=126&summary=B