summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 17-15-15, Relating To The Deposit Of Cash Percentages In Lieu Of Bond, Assignment Of Deposits, And Restitution To Victims, So As To Provide That If A Court Finds That A Defendant May Be Released On Bond Who Has Been Charged With A Violent Offense Or Any Felony Offense Involving A Firearm Or Drugs, The Bond Must Be Set At The Full United States Cash Currency Bond; By Amending Section 17-15-30, Relating To Matters To Be Considered In Determining Conditions Of Release, So As To Include In The Consideration Of A Person's Mental Condition The Direct Observations Of A Law Enforcement Officer That Cause Reasonable Concern With A Person's Mental Condition And To Allow The Court To Include In The Bond Conditions That Law Enforcement Transport The Person For An Emergency Psychiatric Evaluation Or The Person Is Required To Seek Medical Treatment Upon Release.
AI Summary
This bill reforms bond procedures in South Carolina by making two key changes to existing law. First, for defendants charged with violent offenses, felony offenses involving firearms, or drug-related felonies, the bill mandates that bond must be set at the full United States cash currency bond, eliminating the previous option of depositing only 10% of the bond amount. Second, the bill expands the criteria courts must consider when setting bond conditions by explicitly allowing law enforcement officers' direct observations of a person's mental condition to be taken into account. The bill now permits courts to require that a person be transported for an emergency psychiatric evaluation or mandated to seek medical treatment as part of their bond conditions. Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide comprehensive information to the court during bond hearings, including criminal records, pending charges, incident reports, and any observed behavioral concerns. These changes aim to enhance public safety by providing courts with more comprehensive information and stricter bond requirements for certain types of criminal offenses.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (8)
Chris Wooten (R)*,
Heather Crawford (R),
Val Guest (R),
Ryan McCabe (R),
Fawn Pedalino (R),
Tommy Pope (R),
David Vaughan (R),
Paul Wickensimer (R),
Last Action
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Wickensimer (on 03/03/2026)
Official Document
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=4806&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4806_20251217.htm |
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