The bill S. 29 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to strengthen the definitions and penalties associated with the sexual exploitation of minors, particularly in relation to morphed images. It introduces new definitions for "identifiable minor" and "morphed image," which refer to visual representations of minors in sexually explicit conduct. The bill expands the existing laws to include morphed images in the definitions of first, second, and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, thereby broadening the prosecutable offenses. Additionally, it categorizes individuals convicted of these offenses as Tier II offenders on the sex offender registry and emphasizes that mistake of age is not a defense in prosecutions.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for offenders to request termination of their registration requirements, with specific criteria for Tier I and Tier II offenders regarding the waiting period and eligibility. It establishes a filing fee for termination requests and allows applications to be submitted up to 120 days before the eligibility date. The bill also includes a severability clause to ensure the validity of remaining provisions if any part is found unconstitutional. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
01/15/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
01/21/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
02/05/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
02/06/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
02/12/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
02/25/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
04/30/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
05/01/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
05/02/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
05/06/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
05/08/2025: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462
Latest Version: 16-15-375, 16-15-395, 16-15-405, 16-15-410, 23-3-430, 23-3-462