The "South Carolina Juvenile Justice Reform Act" seeks to overhaul the juvenile justice system in South Carolina by introducing a series of amendments aimed at enhancing the care, guidance, and rehabilitation of children. Key features of the bill include the establishment of a Juvenile Offender Civil Citation Program, which allows eligible children to receive civil citations instead of facing criminal charges, and the introduction of a "Children's Bill of Rights" that guarantees humane treatment, access to education, and the ability to communicate with family and legal representatives. The bill also mandates that law enforcement provide legal counsel for children aged fifteen and younger before custodial interrogation, prohibits solitary confinement, and limits secure pre-trial detention, ensuring that children are treated with dignity and provided necessary support.
In addition to these provisions, the bill amends various sections of the South Carolina Code to increase the age of concurrent jurisdiction from seventeen to eighteen, eliminate certain reporting requirements for legal professionals regarding suspected abuse, and prohibit the transfer of jurisdiction for children aged fourteen or fifteen to general sessions. It emphasizes family-based and community-centered solutions to juvenile crime, aiming to reduce reliance on state custody and promote rehabilitation through community interventions. The legislation also establishes the Juvenile Justice Improvement Fund to support community-based diversion programs and outlines specific criteria for the detention of juveniles, ensuring that secure detention is a last resort. Overall, the act represents a comprehensive effort to reform the juvenile justice system, focusing on the best interests of children and the community.
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