summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 16-3-15 So As To Prohibit The Penalty Of Life Imprisonment For Any Individual Who Is Under The Age Of Eighteen At The Time Of Committing An Offense And To Provide Maximum Sentences For Those Individuals Who Committed An Offense Enumerated In This Section As A Minor Before The Effective Date Of The Act; By Adding Section 17-25-35 So As To Make Conforming Changes; By Amending Section 17-25-45, Relating To Life Sentences For Certain Crimes, So As To Provide For Representation By Counsel And To Provide Factors For Consideration By The Department; By Adding Section 63-19-1690 So As To Prohibit The Use Of Restraints, Isolation, And Room Confinement For Juvenile Offenders, With Exceptions; By Amending Section 16-11-311, Relating To First Degree Burglary, So As To Make Conforming Changes; By Amending Section 17-25-20, Relating To Punishment For A Felony When Not Specially Provided, So As To Prohibit The Use Of Solitary Confinement For A Person Who Is Younger Than Eighteen; And By Amending Section 24-13-100, Relating To The Definition Of No Parole Offense, So As To Make Conforming Changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends South Carolina law to prohibit sentencing juveniles (individuals under 18 years old) to life imprisonment or life without parole. The key provisions include establishing new guidelines for sentencing and parole eligibility for juvenile offenders. Specifically, for offenses committed before turning 18, individuals would be eligible for parole after serving 20 years for non-fatal crimes and 25 years for crimes involving a death. The bill also restricts the use of solitary confinement and mechanical restraints for juvenile offenders, allowing such measures only to ensure immediate safety and never as punishment. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for considering factors like the offender's age, maturity, rehabilitation potential, and circumstances at the time of the offense when evaluating parole. The bill applies retroactively to individuals who committed offenses as juveniles, regardless of their original sentences, and aims to recognize the developmental differences between juveniles and adults in the criminal justice system. The changes reflect a growing understanding of adolescent brain development and a movement towards more rehabilitative approaches for young offenders.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 01/14/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=21&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/21_20241211.htm |
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