South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

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S. 868

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Elliott, Young, Kimbrell, Verdin, Rice, Stubbs and Walker
Document Path: SR-0103CEM26.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026
Introduced in the House on February 19, 2026
Passed by the General Assembly on May 8, 2026

Summary: Gold Shield Day

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
1/29/2026 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 5)
1/29/2026 Senate Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 5)
2/11/2026 Senate Committee report: Favorable Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 12)
2/17/2026 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 14)
2/17/2026 Senate Roll call Ayes-45 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 14)
2/18/2026 Senate Read third time and sent to House (Senate Journal-page 14)
2/19/2026 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 17)
2/19/2026 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 17)
5/5/2026 House Committee report: Favorable Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs (House Journal-page 5)
5/7/2026 House Read second time (House Journal-page 84)
5/7/2026 House Roll call Yeas-98 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 84)
5/7/2026 House Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 85)
5/8/2026 House Read third time and enrolled (House Journal-page 3)
5/14/2026 Ratified R 159
5/15/2026 Signed By Governor

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/29/2026
2/11/2026
5/5/2026


NOTE: THIS IS A TEMPORARY VERSION. THIS DOCUMENT WILL REMAIN IN THIS VERSION UNTIL FINAL APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(R159, S868)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-335 SO AS TO DESIGNATE JUNE FIRST OF EACH YEAR AS "GOLD SHIELD DAY" TO HONOR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND THE SACRIFICE OF THEIR SURVIVING FAMILIES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Declaration

SECTION 1.    The General Assembly declares that the sacrifices made by first responders killed in the line of duty, and by their surviving families, deserve formal and enduring recognition by the State of South Carolina.

Gold Shield Day

SECTION 2.    Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 53-3-335.    June first of each year is designated as "Gold Shield Day" in honor of first responders who have been killed in the line of duty, and the surviving spouses, children, and families who bear the lasting impact of that sacrifice. State agencies, political subdivisions, and public institutions are encouraged to recognize Gold Shield Day through appropriate ceremonies, proclamations, or educational activities.

Time effective

SECTION 3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 14th day of May, 2026.

______________________________________________________________________

President of the Senate

_____________________________________________________________________

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Approved the _____________ day of _________________________________________2026.

____________________________________________________________________

Governor

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This web page was last updated on May 14, 2026 at 8:47 PM