Pursuant to an invitation the Honorable Speaker and House of Representatives appeared in the Senate Chamber on April 24, 2025, at 1:30 P.M. and the following Acts and Joint Resolutions were ratified:

(R10, S. 2 (Word version)) -- Senators Peeler, Alexander, Davis, Devine, Garrett, Turner, Jackson and Sutton: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 12 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMPRISED OF THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S POWERS, DUTIES, AND AUTHORITY; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND TO REMOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; BY AMENDING SECTION 8-17-370, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND CERTAIN OTHER DEPARTMENT STAFF FROM THE STATE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-20-30, 44-20-210, 44-20-220, 44-20-230, 44-20-240, AND 44-20-255, ALL RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO INCLUDE DEFINITION REVISIONS, ELIMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMISSION, RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND REASSIGNMENT OF THE COMMISSION'S DUTIES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-49-10 AND 44-49-20, BOTH RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES BY RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-9-10, 44-9-20, AND 44-9-30, ALL RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO INCLUDE RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT AS THE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ESTABLISHING QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, AND ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH'S COMMISSION AND REASSIGNING THE COMMISSION'S DUTIES; BY ADDING SECTION 1-30-150 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE A PLAN TO ENSURE SERVICES AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADMINISTRATOR OF COMMUNITY LIVING INTEGRATION AND A HEALTH PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-21-80, RELATING TO REGIONAL TERTIARY LEVEL DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION CENTERS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT THE CENTERS PROVIDE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION AND LIMITED TREATMENT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS UP TO TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE CERTAIN SUSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS; BY REPEALING SECTIONS 44-9-40 AND 44-9-50 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

(R11, S. 126 (Word version)) -- Senator Johnson: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 30-2-500, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITON OF "PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION" AND TO DEFINE "DISCLOSED RECORDS"; BY AMENDING SECTION 30-2-510, RELATING TO THE MEANS FOR ACTIVE AND FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO MAKE THEIR PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, SO AS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MEANS FOR MAKING SUCH INFORMATION IN DISCLOSED RECORDS RESTRICTED FROM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INTERNET WEBSITES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UPON REQUEST AND TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR HOME ADDRESSES OR TAX MAP NUMBERS THAT CANNOT BE RESTRICTED FROM A DISCLOSED RECORD WITHIN AN INDEX OR FROM BEING DISPLAYED ON AN IMAGE OF AN OFFICIAL RECORD, TO PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE OFFICIAL RECORD HELD OR MAINTAINED BY THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, AND TO ALLOW DISCLOSURE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 30-2-515 SO AS TO PROVIDE ACTIVE AND FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MAY SEEK CERTAIN JUDICIAL RELIEF FOR NONCOMPLIANCE AND TO PREVENT LIABILITY FROM ACCRUING TO STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS FOR CLAIMS OR DAMAGES THAT ARISE FROM PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC RECORD; BY AMENDING SECTION 30-2-700, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE JUDICIAL PERSONAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT, SO AS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE DEFINITION OF "PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION" AND TO DEFINE "DISCLOSED RECORDS"; BY AMENDING SECTION 30-2-710, RELATING TO THE MEANS FOR ACTIVE AND FORMER JUDGES TO MAKE THEIR PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, SO AS TO PROVIDE MEANS TO RESTRICT SUCH INFORMATION IN DISCLOSED RECORDS RESTRICTED FROM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INTERNET WEBSITES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UPON REQUEST AND TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR HOME ADDRESSES OR TAX MAP NUMBERS THAT CANNOT BE RESTRICTED FROM A DISCLOSED RECORD WITHIN AN INDEX OR FROM BEING DISPLAYED ON AN IMAGE OF AN OFFICIAL RECORD, TO PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE OFFICIAL RECORD HELD OR MAINTAINED BY THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, AND TO ALLOW DISCLOSURE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY ADDING SECTION 30-2-715 SO AS TO PROVIDE ACTIVE AND FORMER JUDGES MAY SEEK CERTAIN JUDICIAL RELIEF FOR NONCOMPLIANCE AND TO PREVENT LIABILITY FROM ACCRUING TO STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS FOR CLAIMS OR DAMAGES THAT ARISE FROM PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC RECORD; TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ACT 56 OF 2023, WHICH ENACTED THE "LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT" AND THE "JUDICIAL PERSONAL PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT," FROM JULY 1, 2025, UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2026; AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY TO COLLABORATE AND CREATE THE DESIGNATED FORM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND JUDGES TO USE TO REQUEST STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES REGSTRICT PUBLIC ACCESS TO PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION IN DISCLOSED RECORDS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONTENTS OF THE FORM, AND TO PROVIDE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MAY PROVIDE SUPPLMENTAL FORMS TO IDENTIFY INFORMATION NEEDED BY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ADDRESS REQUESTS FROM ELIGIBLE REQUESTING PARTIES.

(R12, S. 218 (Word version)) -- Senator Young: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 25-11-730 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS SHALL ADOPT CRITERIA FOR ADMISSIONS TO AND DISCHARGES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA VETERANS' HOMES.

(R13, S. 291 (Word version)) -- Senators Peeler, Alexander, Bennett and Cromer: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUING AUTHORITY TO PAY THE EXPENSES OF STATE GOVERNMENT IF THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR BEGINS WITHOUT A GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 HAVING BEEN ENACTED, AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS.

(R14, S. 384 (Word version)) -- Senator Corbin: AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 108 OF 2021 TO CHANGE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY IN GREENVILLE COUNTY; AND TO PROHIBIT THE INSTALLATION OF CLUSTER SEPTIC SYSTEMS IN THE BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT.

(R15, S. 388 (Word version)) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5322, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

(R16, S. 389 (Word version)) -- Education Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENT, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5321, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 23, TITLE 1 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS.

(R17, H. 3247 (Word version)) -- Reps. Haddon, Pope, Spann-Wilder, Garvin, Pedalino, Chumley, Bowers, Hixon, Yow, Mitchell, Ligon, Rivers and Govan: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-462 SO AS TO EXCUSE ABSENCES, NOT TO EXCEED TEN SCHOOL DAYS PER SCHOOL YEAR, FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHEN PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCES, AND TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS MISSED DURING SUCH EXCUSED ABSENCES.

(R18, H. 3529 (Word version)) -- Reps. W. Newton, Bannister, Caskey, Wooten, Spann-Wilder, Calhoon, Ballentine, Robbins, Mitchell and Weeks: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-3-40, RELATING TO FAMILY COURT JUDGES ELECTED FROM EACH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SO AS TO INCREASE BY ONE THE NUMBER OF FAMILY COURT JUDGES IN THE NINTH, ELEVENTH, AND FOURTEENTH CIRCUITS.

(R19, H. 3654 (Word version)) -- Reps. Calhoon, Bernstein and Spann-Wilder: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-7-1990 AND 63-11-550, BOTH RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF CHILD WELFARE RECORDS AND INFORMATION, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE DISCLOSURE OF CASE RECORDS TO COUNTY AND STATE GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM STAFF AND TO THE STATE CHILD ADVOCATE; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 63-11-700, 63-11-1340, AND 63-11-1360, RELATING TO CERTAIN DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, SO AS TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THESE DIVISIONS.

(R20, H. 3814 (Word version)) -- Rep. Hixon: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURFACE WATER STUDY COMMITTEE MAY STUDY THE CURRENT STATE OF GROUNDWATER IN THIS STATE AND TO POSTPONE THE DUE DATE OF THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

(R21, H. 3932 (Word version)) -- Rep. Pedalino: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-7-190, RELATING TO DESIGNATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS IN CLARENDON COUNTY, SO AS TO SPLIT AN EXISTING PRECINCT AND REDESIGNATE THE MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THE OFFICIAL PRECINCT MAP IS FOUND ON FILE WITH THE REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE.

(R22, H. 3933 (Word version)) -- Reps. Mitchell and B. Newton: AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 33-36-1330, RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A SEVEN-MEMBER BOARD AND TO CHANGE THE APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE.

(R23, H. 4014 (Word version)) -- Rep. Bustos: AN ACT TO ABOLISH THE CONSTITUENT DISTRICTS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEIR RESPECTIVE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND TO DELEGATE THE POWERS DEVOLVED UPON THE TRUSTEES OF THE CONSTITUENT DISTRICTS BY ACT 340 OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

(R24, H. 4088 (Word version)) -- Reps. Mitchell and Yow: AN ACT TO REPEAL ACT 668 OF 1934, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE DARLINGTON COUNTY FORFEITED LAND COMMISSION.

(R25, H. 4187 (Word version)) -- Reps. Caskey, Ballentine, Calhoon, Forrest, Govan, Kilmartin, May, McCabe, Taylor, White and Wooten: AN ACT TO EXTEND THE ONE PERCENT SALES TAX IMPOSED BY ACT 378 OF 2004, AS AMENDED, THE LEXINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT, FOR AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN YEARS.

Last Updated: April 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM