summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact "riley's Act" By Amending Section 47-1-40, Relating To The Ill-treatment Of Animals, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-50, Relating To The Ill-treatment Of Animals, So As To Revise The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-60, Relating To The Unlawful Cutting Of Muscles Of Tails Of Horses, Asses, Mules, Mares, Or Geldings, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-110, Relating To Violations Of Sections 47-1-90 And 47-1-100, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-125, Relating To The Unlawful Coloring, Dying, Or Sale Of Certain Animals, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-200, Relating To Requirements For The Transfer Of Animals And Importation Or Exportation Of Dogs Or Cats, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Amending Section 47-1-210, Relating To Unlawfully Offering Live Animals As Prizes, So As To Increase The Penalties; By Adding Section 47-1-220 So As To Provide The State Law Enforcement Division Shall Post On Its Website The Names Of Persons Convicted Of Cruelty To Animals Crimes; And By Adding Section 47-1-230 So As To Provide Persons Convicted Of Misdemeanors Contained In This Chapter May Be Prohibited From Owning Or Possessing Animals, And To Provide Persons Convicted Of Felonies Contained In This Chapter Must Be Prohibited From Owning Or Possessing Animals.
AI Summary
This bill, known as "Riley's Act," significantly strengthens animal cruelty laws in South Carolina by increasing penalties for various offenses, including ill-treatment, cruel killing, and unlawful tail cutting of horses. It revises existing penalties for animal ill-treatment, making second or subsequent offenses felonies with potential imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $5,000, and elevates torture or mutilation of animals to a felony punishable by at least one year in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill also increases fines for unlawfully coloring or selling certain young animals, for violations related to animal transportation and the importation/exportation of young dogs and cats, and for unlawfully offering live animals as prizes. Furthermore, it mandates that the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will publish the names of individuals convicted of animal cruelty crimes on its website, and importantly, it allows courts to prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty from owning animals, and mandates such a prohibition for those convicted of felony animal cruelty.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (11)
David Martin (R)*,
Doug Gilliam (R),
Brandon Guffey (R),
Brian Lawson (R),
Annie McDaniel (D),
Travis Moore (R),
Mike Neese (R),
Weston Newton (R),
Tommy Pope (R),
Luke Rankin (R),
Blake Sanders (R),
Last Action
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Lawson (on 02/10/2026)
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=5090&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/5090_20260204.htm |
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