The "South Carolina Juvenile Justice Reform Act" seeks to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws to improve the juvenile justice system's focus on care, guidance, and rehabilitation for children. Key features of the bill include the establishment of a Juvenile Offender Civil Citation Program, which allows law enforcement to issue civil citations to eligible first-time, non-violent juvenile offenders, providing an alternative to criminal prosecution. The bill also introduces a "Children's Bill of Rights," ensuring that children in state custody are treated with dignity and have access to essential services. Additionally, it mandates that law enforcement arrange legal counsel for children aged fifteen and younger prior to custodial interrogation, limits the use of solitary confinement, and emphasizes family-based solutions to juvenile crime.

The legislation further proposes several amendments, such as increasing the age for concurrent jurisdiction from under seventeen to under eighteen, prohibiting fees for participation in diversion programs, and establishing the Juvenile Justice Improvement Fund to support community-based interventions. It clarifies the responsibilities of mandated reporters regarding child abuse, updates penalties for school-related offenses, and ensures that children are not held in secure confinement unnecessarily. The bill also outlines the process for detention hearings, the conditions for juvenile evaluations, and the management of educational support for students involved in the juvenile justice system. Overall, the act represents a comprehensive effort to reform juvenile justice in South Carolina, prioritizing rehabilitation and the well-being of children.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 63-1-20, 16-17-425, 16-23-430, 63-1-40, 63-3-520, 63-7-310, 63-19-20, 63-19-210, 63-19-340, 63-19-350, 63-19-360, 63-19-362, 63-19-365, 63-19-370, 63-19-500, 63-19-520, 63-19-810, 63-19-820, 63-19-830, 63-19-1010, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1030, 63-19-1050, 63-19-1070, 63-19-1210, 63-19-1410, 63-19-1415, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1450, 63-19-1480, 63-19-1810, 63-19-1820, 63-19-1835, 63-19-2020, 63-19-2030, 63-19-2050, 59-18-1970, 59-18-1980, 59-24-60, 59-63-210, 59-63-1320, 63-19-2420, 63-19-2430
01/17/2025: 63-1-20, 16-17-425, 16-23-430, 63-1-40, 63-3-520, 63-7-310, 63-19-20, 63-19-210, 63-19-340, 63-19-350, 63-19-360, 63-19-362, 63-19-365, 63-19-370, 63-19-500, 63-19-520, 63-19-810, 63-19-820, 63-19-830, 63-19-1010, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1030, 63-19-1050, 63-19-1070, 63-19-1210, 63-19-1410, 63-19-1415, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1450, 63-19-1480, 63-19-1810, 63-19-1820, 63-19-1835, 63-19-2020, 63-19-2030, 63-19-2050, 59-18-1970, 59-18-1980, 59-24-60, 59-63-210, 59-63-1320, 63-19-2420, 63-19-2430
Latest Version: 63-1-20, 16-17-425, 16-23-430, 63-1-40, 63-3-520, 63-7-310, 63-19-20, 63-19-210, 63-19-340, 63-19-350, 63-19-360, 63-19-362, 63-19-365, 63-19-370, 63-19-500, 63-19-520, 63-19-810, 63-19-820, 63-19-830, 63-19-1010, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1030, 63-19-1050, 63-19-1070, 63-19-1210, 63-19-1410, 63-19-1415, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1450, 63-19-1480, 63-19-1810, 63-19-1820, 63-19-1835, 63-19-2020, 63-19-2030, 63-19-2050, 59-18-1970, 59-18-1980, 59-24-60, 59-63-210, 59-63-1320, 63-19-2420, 63-19-2430