The bill H. 4778 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Article 10 to Chapter 3, Title 24, which mandates the electronic recording of law enforcement interviews and custodial interrogations. The primary objective of this legislation is to create a complete electronic record of custodial interrogations to reduce disputes, enhance the prosecution of guilty individuals, protect the innocent, and improve court efficiency. The bill specifies that these recordings must be made in their entirety during any custodial interrogation conducted in a place of detention, which includes jails and police stations. It also defines key terms such as "electronic recording" and "place of detention," and outlines the requirements for recording, including the necessity for both audio and visual components when feasible.

Additionally, the bill establishes the legal implications of failing to comply with the recording requirements, stating that such failures can be considered by the court when adjudicating motions to suppress a defendant's statements. It also provides that any statements made by a defendant during an unrecorded interrogation may be questioned regarding their voluntariness and reliability. The legislation includes provisions for the preservation of recordings, stipulating that they cannot be destroyed until one year after all appeals related to the conviction are completed. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, applying to interviews and custodial interrogations occurring on or after that date.