The "South Carolina Pray Safe Act" aims to establish the South Carolina Pray Safe Grant Program within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). This program is designed to provide grants for security enhancements to private organizations that are at risk of being victims of religiously motivated crimes. Eligible applicants must be private organizations with federal tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) and must demonstrate a particular risk of such crimes. The grants can cover various security enhancements, including security assessments, personnel, and upgrades to facilities, with a maximum award of $750,000.

SLED will be responsible for developing the application process and criteria for ranking grant applications, which will consider factors such as the level of risk and previous incidents of religiously motivated crimes. Additionally, the act establishes the South Carolina Pray Safe Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury, which will be used exclusively for these grants. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
04/01/2025: 23-3-90
Latest Version: 23-3-90