The bill H. 3655 aims to amend several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning juvenile justice, particularly focusing on status offenses and the treatment of juveniles in the legal system. Key changes include the elimination of exceptions that allow children to be tried as adults, a reduction in the maximum time a child can be held in a juvenile detention facility, and a requirement for families to seek counseling before juvenile proceedings can be initiated for status offenses. Additionally, the bill distinguishes between status and criminal offenses, modifies court order requirements, and introduces automatic expungement of juvenile records for status offenses, with certain exceptions.

Specific amendments include changes to Section 63-19-820, which now prohibits the secure confinement of juveniles in adult jails for more than six hours and limits detention in juvenile facilities to twenty-four hours without a court order. Section 63-19-1020 mandates that families must attempt counseling before legal proceedings for status offenses can begin. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the commitment process for juveniles and establishes that records for status offenses will be automatically expunged once the individual reaches eighteen and meets certain conditions. The bill is set to take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 63-19-820, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1810, 63-19-2050
02/05/2025: 63-19-820, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1810, 63-19-2050
Latest Version: 63-19-820, 63-19-1020, 63-19-1440, 63-19-1810, 63-19-2050