Bill > H3604

This bill modifies sex offender registration requirements in South Carolina by introducing a process for individuals to petition for termination of their registration requirement after ten years and reducing the maximum registration period from lifetime to fifteen years. Under the new law, a person required to register as a sex offender may petition the circuit court to end their registration requirement ten years after initial registration, provided they have not been convicted of a subsequent registerable offense. To be considered, the petitioner must demonstrate they have not been arrested for any crime requiring sex offender registration since completing their sentence, comply with federal registration standards, and convince the court they do not pose a current or potential threat to public safety. The petition must be filed in the county where the original offense occurred or where the person currently resides, and must include notification to the county sheriff. If the petition is denied, the individual can reapply one year later. If granted, the court will instruct the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to remove the person from the sex offender registry. The bill also modifies the registration period from lifetime to fifteen years, with biannual (twice yearly) registration requirements, and maintains special provisions for sexually violent predators who must verify their registration every 90 days.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3604&session=126&summary=B