The bill S. 235 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding prostitution by revising existing statutes to enhance penalties and clarify prohibitions. Specifically, it amends Section 16-15-90 to make it unlawful for a prostituted person to engage in prostitution and increases the penalties for violations. Additionally, Section 16-15-100 is revised to prohibit actions related to soliciting customers for a prostituted person, with increased penalties for such violations. The bill also amends Section 16-15-110 to prohibit solicitation of a prostituted person, establishing a clear legal framework for prosecuting individuals involved in prostitution-related activities.

The amendments include the insertion of new definitions and prohibitions, such as the inclusion of "sexual grooming" and the prohibition of promoting or advertising prostitution on public media platforms. The penalties for violations are standardized as felonies, with imprisonment of up to five years. The bill also provides affirmative defenses for individuals who were coerced or trafficked, and it ensures that minors cannot be prosecuted under these provisions. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen the legal response to prostitution and related offenses in South Carolina.

Statutes affected:
01/16/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/03/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/12/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/13/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/17/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/25/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
03/28/2025: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110
Latest Version: 16-15-90, 16-15-100, 16-15-110