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IntroducedDec 10, 2025
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Passed SenateFeb 25, 2026
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Passed House
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Became Law
South Carolina Senate Bill
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-395, RELATING TO FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR DEFINED; PRESUMPTIONS; DEFENSES; PENALTIES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO FIVE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-405, RELATING TO SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR DEFINED; PRESUMPTIONS; DEFENSES; PENALTIES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PENALTY TO THREE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 16-15-410, RELATING TO THIRD DEGREE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR DEFINED; PENALTIES; EXCEPTION, SO AS TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF IMAGES POSSESSED, INCLUDING A PENALTY OF UP TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE ONE TO TWENTY-FIVE IMAGES, ONE TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE TWENTY-SIX TO TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES, AND A PENALTY OF TWO TO TEN YEARS IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY IMAGES; AND TO ESTABLISH THAT A PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER AND VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION, UPON CONVICTION, MUST SERVE A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS.
Last Action See all actions
House • Feb 26, 2026: Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Latest Bill Text See all bill texts
Summary
Comments on S 723
Tweets
Whip Lists
Sponsors



- Reichenbachprimary
- Riceprimary
- Zellprimary
- Garrettprimary
- Walkerprimary
Votes
YES: 44
- Adams, Brian
- Alexander, Thomas C.
- Allen, Karl B.
- Bennett, Sean M.
- Blackmon, Allen
- Bright, Lee
- Campsen, George E., III
- Cash, Richard J.
- Chaplin, JD
- Climer, Wes
- Corbin, Thomas D.
- Cromer, Ronnie W.
- Davis, Tom
- Devine, Tameika Isaac
- Elliott, Jason
- Fernandez, Tom
- Gambrell, Michael W.
- Garrett, Billy
- Goldfinch, Stephen L.
- Graham, Jeffrey R.
- Grooms, Lawrence K.
- Hembree, Greg
- Hutto, Brad
- Johnson, Michael
- Kennedy, Carlisle
- Kimbrell, Josh
- Matthew W. "Matt" Leber
- Martin, Shane R.
- Massey, A. Shane
- Matthews, Margie Bright
- Ott, Russell L.
- Peeler, Harvey S., Jr.
- Rankin, Luke A.
- Reichenbach, Mike
- Rice, Rex F.
- Sabb, Ronnie A.
- Stubbs, Everett
- Sutton, Ed
- Turner, Ross
- Verdin, Daniel B., III
- Walker, Overture
- Williams, Kent M.
- Young, Tom, Jr.
- Zell, Jeff
NO: 0
EXCUSED: 1
Actions
- Feb 26, 2026 | House
- Introduced and read first time
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Feb 25, 2026 | Senate
- Read third time and sent to House
- Feb 24, 2026 | Senate
- Committee Amendment Adopted
- Amended
- Read second time
- Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
- Feb 18, 2026 | Senate
- Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
- Jan 13, 2026 | Senate
- Introduced and read first time
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Dec 10, 2025 | Senate
- Prefiled
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Documents
