Bill > H3077

This bill amends Section 63-3-620 of the South Carolina Code of Laws to modify the penalties for contempt of court in family court proceedings. Specifically, the bill removes the option of imprisonment as a punishment for adults who willfully violate, neglect, or refuse to obey a lawful court order. Previously, the law allowed courts to impose a combination of punishments including imprisonment in a local detention facility for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,500, or a public works sentence of up to 300 hours. Under the proposed changes, individuals found in contempt would still be subject to fines and public works sentences, but would no longer face the possibility of jail time. The bill maintains provisions allowing for good time credits and work credits if imprisonment were an option, though these would no longer apply given the removal of imprisonment as a potential penalty. The legislation would take effect upon approval by the Governor, potentially providing more lenient consequences for those who fail to comply with family court orders.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3077&session=126&summary=B