The bill H. 3655 proposes several amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning juvenile justice, specifically targeting the treatment of status offenses. Key changes include the elimination of the exception that allows children to be tried as adults, thereby ensuring that juveniles are not placed in adult detention facilities for more than six hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that before juvenile proceedings can be initiated for status offenses, families must first seek counseling or other supportive services. The amendments also clarify the distinction between status and criminal offenses, adjusting the requirements for court orders related to juvenile commitments.

Further, the bill introduces provisions for the automatic expungement of juvenile records related to status offenses, with certain exceptions, once the individual reaches the age of eighteen and has completed any required dispositional sentences. It also outlines the conditions under which a child may be held in juvenile detention and establishes guidelines for the evaluation and release of juveniles adjudicated for status offenses. Overall, the bill aims to reform the juvenile justice system by promoting rehabilitation over punishment and ensuring that juveniles are treated fairly within the legal framework.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 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