Bill > S0209

This bill reenacts Section 14-23-1040 of the South Carolina Code, which establishes eligibility requirements for probate judges. Under this legislation, a person must meet several qualifications to serve as a probate judge: they must be a United States and South Carolina citizen, be at least 21 years old at the time of election, be a qualified voter in the county where they will serve, and either hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution or have four years of work experience in a probate judge's office in South Carolina. Importantly, while the bill updates these existing requirements, it specifies that these qualifications will not become enforceable until July 1, 2026, giving potential candidates and county offices ample time to prepare for the new standards. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving the Governor's approval, setting the stage for the future implementation of these probate judge qualification requirements.