The bill H. 3076 proposes an amendment to Section 63-3-620 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which addresses penalties for violating family court orders. The key change in this legislation is the limitation on the availability of imprisonment as a punishment for contempt of court. Specifically, the bill stipulates that an adult may not be imprisoned for contempt unless they are found guilty by a jury of their peers who recommend imprisonment as a punishment.

Additionally, the bill maintains the existing penalties for contempt, which include fines, public works sentences, or imprisonment in a local detention facility, but it clarifies the conditions under which imprisonment can be imposed. The maximum penalties remain unchanged, with imprisonment not exceeding one year, fines up to fifteen hundred dollars, and public works sentences not exceeding three hundred hours. This act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 63-3-620
Latest Version: 63-3-620
12/06/2024: 63-3-620