The bill S. 374 aims to amend several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws related to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and its operational procedures regarding juvenile detention services. It mandates that the DJJ enter into intergovernmental agreements with counties or municipalities that utilize its detention services, specifying the per diem costs and the invoicing process. Additionally, the bill removes inconsistent language regarding the payment of a fee of fifty dollars a day per child from Section 63-19-1610 and a fee of twenty-five dollars a day per child from Section 14-1-208, thereby clarifying the financial responsibilities of local governments in relation to juvenile detention.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the DJJ must determine the per diem costs based on the average operating costs of all preadjudicatory state facilities, with the DJJ covering one-third of the costs and the local governing body responsible for the remaining two-thirds. It also stipulates that the DJJ can deny admission of youth from counties or municipalities that are delinquent in their payment of per diem rates. The bill is set to take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
02/25/2025: 63-19-360, 63-19-1610, 14-1-208
02/26/2025: 63-19-360, 63-19-1610, 14-1-208
03/25/2025: 63-19-360, 63-19-1610, 14-1-208
Latest Version: 63-19-360, 63-19-1610, 14-1-208