Bill > S0405

This bill amends Section 16-3-85 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which defines the crime of homicide by child abuse, by increasing the age of a child covered by this law from under eleven years old to under eighteen years old. This means that if a person causes the death of a child under eighteen while committing child abuse or neglect, or knowingly aids and abets another person in doing so, and the death occurs under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life, they can be charged with homicide by child abuse. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm" to a child's health or welfare, and outlines the penalties for conviction, which can include life imprisonment or significant prison terms depending on the specific circumstances of the offense.